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10 Exciting Chocolate Dessert Recipes

When eaten in moderation, there's no need to feel bad about indulging once in awhile.
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Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur & Author

Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur & Author
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I'm a big fan of cooking with chocolate, and I'm sure that there are more than a few of chocoholics reading this right now. Chocolate is one of the world's most beloved discoveries, and when we need a quick boost of energy and endorphins, chocolate is the go-to treat.

We want to maintain a healthy weight during the colder months and the holidays, however, so chocolate, as well as all other decadent foods, should be eaten in moderation. But it's good to know about the health benefits that can come from eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Besides giving us a quick pick-me-up or settling the stomach after a hearty dinner, dark chocolate is actually rich in antioxidants (the same that can be found in green tea) that reduce cellular and arterial damage. The darker the chocolate is, the more antioxidants it contains. So when eaten in moderation -- just a few bites from a well-made dark chocolate bar, for instance -- there's no need to feel bad about indulging once in awhile.

Aside from the obvious chocolate cookies and ice cream, chocolate can be used in a variety of ways for desserts. To prove that, Food Republic and I have put together our top 10 favorite dessert recipes that use chocolate in exciting and possibly new ways. Check out these 10 great recipes and for more, visit my website (MarcusSamuelsson.com) and follow me on Twitter (@MarcusCooks).

Are you a chocolate lover?

10 Exciting Chocolate Dessert Recipes
Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Recipe(01 of10)
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This fast recipe literally takes about 5 minutes to make. This rich, chocolate shake tastes absolutely sinful, but without the guilt!Recipe: Healthy Chocolate Smoothie
Chocolate Basmati Rice Soufflé(02 of10)
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If you're looking for a stellar gluten-free dessert, look no further than this chocolate basmati rice soufflé. Can't find basmati flour? No problem, just follow Chef Khanna's advice and grind the rice in a coffee grinder, then pass it through a fine sifter. Recipe: Chocolate Basmati Rice Soufflé
Spiced Chocolate Cake Recipe(03 of10)
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This spiced chocolate cake takes the spice up a notch and is sure to please any guest you serve it to. The cake features Piment d’Espelette, which is a chili pepper that comes from Espelette, a Basque enclave near the Spanish border, and the ingredient is popular throughout France. If you can’t find piment d’Espelette, cayenne pepper is a great alternative. Recipe: Spiced Chocolate Cake
Avocado Chocolate Pudding Recipe(04 of10)
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I know what you’re thinking, avocado and chocolate? Trust me, these two decadent ingredients combine to make the smoothest pudding that you’ll ever make. Recipe: Avocado Chocolate Pudding
Crunchy Chocolate Cherry Granola Recipe(05 of10)
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This crunchy granola snack can be enjoyed as a dessert or even as a morning treat when mixed in with your favorite yogurt. The coconut and cherries add sumptuous texture. Recipe: Crunchy Chocolate Cherry Granola
Gluten-free and Soy-free Chocolate Vegan Cupcakes(06 of10)
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This wonderful gluten– and soy-free recipe is for our vegan cooks, or for those who may have allergies. Just because we have dietary restrictions doesn’t mean we can’t join in on the chocolate fun, right? The vanilla frosting on these little cupcakes is just the trick to balance the richness of the chocolate. Recipe: Gluten-free and Soy-free Chocolate Vegan Cupcakes
Eggless Chocolate Mousse(07 of10)
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This chocolate mousse is light and airy, with just a touch of sweetness. The French use egg whites and yolks, separated and whipped. While it tastes awesome, it's more work, and we figured some cooks may not be so keen on using uncooked eggs, so this version is made with gelatin instead.Recipe: Eggless Chocolate Mousse
Peanut No-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies(08 of10)
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Leaving out a good recipe for chocolate chip cookies would be a sin! So in this recipe, we’ve combined one of the world’s greatest flavor combinations: peanut butter and chocolate! Feel free to incorporate any other nut butter instead of peanut butter, if you’re allergic to peanuts. Either way, this healthier recipe that skips the use of normal butter will prove to be a favorite. Recipe: Peanut No-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Flan(09 of10)
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I love preparing a good flan for friends! And this recipe is a huge hit since it includes flan and chocolate cake! So if you can’t decide between chocolate cake or flan for dessert, why not go for both and whip up this yummy Mexican-style dessert. Recipe: Chocolate Flan
Mole Poblano(10 of10)
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We had to sneak this non-dessert onto the list because just a hint of Mexican chocolate combines with a host of other flavors to make for one of the best sauces you’ll ever add to chicken, turkey, or, of course, enchiladas. And it sets up the palate nicely for one of the chocolate desserts listed above.Recipe: Mole Poblano

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