The Top Ten Chocolate Monday Recipes!

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday than taking a look at your favorite Chocolate Monday recipes from the past two years. You asked to have a day dedicated to chocolate and Chocolate Mondays were born. I must admit, your choices are outstanding, each unique and utterly delightful for any occasion. Thank you for the inspiration and support.

Without further ado, I give you The Chocolate Monday Top Ten!

10 – Chocolate Caramel Tartlets

This is one of my personal favorites. I am all over anything that combines chocolate and caramel. These mini tarts are perfect for a ladies brunch, bridal shower, or holiday party. Every single bite will elicit sighs of delight from your guests.

9 – Hot Fudge Sundaes

Is there anything more comforting than a hot fudge sundae? Especially when you make both the fudge sauce and ice cream yourself. This is one of those recipes where buying a real vanilla bean (make sure it is moist and pliable) makes all the difference. I would definitely put this on your Fourth of July menu and let your guests add whatever toppings they like. And don’t forget to add a few bananas to make this a daily serving of fruit. 😉

8 – Triple Chocolate Terrine

When you are looking for a show-stopping dessert, this is your ticket. Three layers of different types of chocolate, this will make every chocoholic in your life swoon. I created this dessert for New Year’s Eve and chose three different liqueurs to complement each type of chocolate; White Crème de Cacao with the white chocolate, Godiva’s Chocolate liqueur with the milk chocolate and Kahlua with the dark chocolate. You can leave out the alcohol if you want, or better yet, make two versions!

7 – The Ultimate Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake

Is there anyone on the planet that doesn’t love chocolate cake with chocolate frosting? This one, from the incomparable Flo Braker, is the best I have ever had and that is saying a lot. Rich, full of flavor and intensely chocolaty, this is the cake that you will be dreaming about months after you eat a slice. When The Artist saw the list, he voted this as his second favorite!

6 – Chocolate Brownie Cookies

One of my favorite meals on my trip to New York City was at Gramercy Tavern and these amazing cookies are from Gramercy’s Pastry Chef Claudia Fleming. You will swear you are eating a brownie when you bite into these incredible cookies. The crispy exterior crackles and the creamy, fudgy center melts in your mouth. Trust me, you are going to want this recipe in your list of “Must Make Again” treats!

5 – Irish Coffee Chocolate Cupcakes

These are such fun cupcakes to serve. Not only do they celebrate my Irish Heritage [you gotta love us Irish ;o)] but when you bite into them you get a fun surprise … a creamy Bailey’s Irish Cream-flavored filling! This is a delicious combination of flavors, and one of my favorites.

4 – S’mores Cupcakes

Ah, if these don’t take you back to your childhood, nothing will. The only thing you need to add is a campfire and a chorus of “Kumbayah” and you will swear you are about to celebrate your tenth birthday all over again. These took third place on The Artist’s list! From my delightful friend Holly Herrick’s The Charleston Chef’s Table cookbook, these are a tribute to southern baking and the innocence of childhood.

3 – Oscar Worthy Chocolate Glazed Eclairs

Éclairs are incredibly indulgent and one thing that definitely means “celebration” to me. These come from Sherry Yard, the head of Wolfgang Puck’s pastry empire and one of the finest pastry chefs in the world. Not only are they decadent, you can make all of the parts ahead of time and then assemble just before serving. That means that you can do all the work, go get cleaned up, be the perfectly coiffed hostess, and then turn out an OMG dessert!

2 – Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake with White Chocolate Mousse Filling

This cake was a big hit with my family, a crowd that can be fairly picky. My favorite part is the white chocolate mousse filling and I have adapted it to use with other recipes. The Artist chose this as his Number One! Make sure you use really high quality white chocolate – it makes a huge difference. My preference is Guittard, a local chocolate company that makes exceptional chocolates.

And, your Number One Chocolate Monday recipe is ….

1 – Turtle Brownie Cheesecake Bars

I love you guys. This recipe is the best of the best in flavors, textures, and overall chocolate yumminess (is that a real word?). This is like a brownie pie with a cheesecake topping and then I added caramel and chocolate syrups for even more indulgence. Drizzle some of the chocolate syrup decoratively over the plate before topping with a slice and your guests will swear they are at a fine restaurant!

Thank you all for an amazing two years of Chocolate Mondays, with over 100 recipes to tantalize and thrill us all. Have a fabulous and safe holiday – Happy Memorial Day!

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Thank You!