Cocoa

We love the look of the homemade extra-long sprinkles on these whoopie-pie-type cookies, but they take a steady hand and a wealth of patience to shape. Use any store-bought sprinkle in their place.

Two warnings about these cookies: Don’t give them to young children before bedtime and don’t leave them lying around, if you want any left for yourself. These cookies are crisp on the edges and have a chewy middle strewn with pockets of soft chocolate. The espresso powder, as Kelsey (The Naptime Chef) noted, amplifies the chocolate, but not the sweetness, making it a grown-up cookie. When making any cookies, make sure to cream the butter really well—this aerates the cookies and integrates the sugar—but be conservative with your mixing once the dry ingredients are added.

This recipe makes decadent chocolate cake and delicious chocolate cupcakes. Don't skip the silky frosting, it's the best part!

Makes you wonder why you would ever serve cold pudding again.

When you're ready to serve, dip each pop mold in cold (not hot) water to help loosen the pops.

It’s crucial that this tart be frozen solid before slicing. If you are in and out of your freezer a lot, that may take longer than one day; err on the safe side!

This is not your average breakfast muffin. Imagine a fudgy brownie—chocolatey, rich, ringing every bell—and then picture yourself dancing around your kitchen, exuberant with the knowledge that these are sweetened with just bananas, applesauce, and cocoa powder. That’s something to get up for in the morning! And I’ll say what I want to say without saying it: Fiber never tasted so good.

This refreshing fizzy drink has the flavor of chocolate milk—but without the dairy. Add a shot of chilled espresso or Kahlúa to give it some extra oomph.

You don't need an electric mixer, cake stand, or oven to enjoy this decadent single serving of cake.

Everyone's favorite bake sale treat goes gluten-free—with ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Thicker and creamier than the typical hot chocolate and embellished with both amaro and espresso. If you don’t have an espresso machine, use strong coffee instead.

Sweet and savory meet with delicious results in this elegant tart.

This double-decker pie features two stacked flavors in a stunning presentation that is just as celebratory as birthday cake.

This hot chocolate mix is made with a blend of chocolate and cocoa powder for a rich, decadent flavor and creamy texture.

This power-breakfast smoothie will be extra smooth if you soak the nuts and oats in water overnight; drain before proceeding.

Who knew chocolate mousse could be so simple and so fast? Once you have the ingredients on hand, you can put this decadent dessert together in a flash.

Of all the quirky, inexplicable, reindeer-embellished holiday traditions out there, making your own Yule log might take the cake. Why would anyone in their right mind create a dessert that is supposed to look like something cut from the forest? Because it will be exponentially more impressive—and downright delicious—than any cake, pie, or sugar cookie on the table. Besides, we're not encouraging you to make just any old Bûche de Noël: Our updated, streamlined version resembles a slender birch branch, adorned with funghi-inspired meringues. So who knows? This might just become your new weird Christmas tradition.

Brushing the sponge cake for the Bûche de Noël with this flavored syrup hydrates it and keeps it moist.

The intensity of this ganache balances out the other sweeter components in our Bûche de Noël. If you prefer rounder, less sharp flavors, use semisweet or milk chocolate instead of bittersweet.

Our slice-and-bake technique is easier to manage than shaping a crescent version—a touch of sanity during holiday baking madness.

Maybe you forgot his or her birthday, or maybe you didn't forget, maybe you never even knew, but jeez, it's today, really? This cake won't work for a kid's birthday—that calls for more...of everything—but if you just got home, dinner isn't even made, and it turns out it is someone special's day, you just have to bust out a cake, and this one is all from the pantry and requires minimal gear and cleanup. Send him out for a pint of ice cream or suggest she use the shower first-this cake can be in the oven before your celebrant gets back. Thirty minutes later and it's out and cooling on the counter. Fair warning: this cake is like that guy who never moves out of his parents' house—born there, no matter how ready it seems, it falls to pieces when you try to get it out. Cut into wedges and lever them out individually, then cover your tracks with vanilla ice cream or plain or chocolate whipped cream.

Dried fruit is the secret to moist low-fat baked goods. These cupcakes have such a rich, chocolaty flavor, you would never know there were dates in the batter if you hadn't baked them yourself.

These vegan brownies took at least thirty rounds of serious test-kitchen madness (not kidding!). When we finally said, okay, okay, moist and crumbly and chocolatey and delicious, we gave in. I used flaxseed meal and warm water to create a binder that replaces the need for egg. These egg-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, guilt-free brownies are some of the best you will ever taste! They will crumble a bit more than regular brownies, so beware of crumbs!