19 Chocolate Dessert Recipes That Will Get Rid Of The Winter Blues Slideshow

During the winter we all want is comfort foods and hearty meals to get us through the day, but sometimes we also need a small indulgence to put a smile on our faces — an indulgence like chocolate desserts. Studies show that chocolate releases neurotransmitters in our bodies that have a positive effect on your mood. So when you're feeling down because of the dreary weather, whip up a chocolate-filled recipe that will make satisfy both mind and appetite. It can be as simple as a chocolate cupcake or as complex as a mint-chocolate trifle with mint whipped cream and chocolate mint cookies. This week's SWAT (Sharing With A Theme) is sure to help you lose those winter blues.

The whiskey caramel adds a kick of flavor to this pie. If you don't like whiskey, you can omit it, substituting traditional caramel instead.

For the Chocolate Caramel Pie with Pretzel Crust recipe, click here.

The beauty of using dark chocolate in baking is that you'll always get that authentic chocolate-y taste in your baked goods. You can always sweeten a recipe made with dark chocolate by adding sugar, but when you use a diluted milk chocolate, for example, you never obtain the same richness and quality in chocolate that you would have otherwise. There is no substitute for pure, unadulterated dark chocolate, and this dark chocolate cake with red wine glaze is evidence of that. — Mon Petit Four

For the Dark Chocolate Cake with Red Wine Glaze recipe, click here.

This is the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe — chewy, sweet, and filled with chocolate and peanut butter. 

For the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, click here.

Dulce de leche (caramelized sweetened condensed milk) is blended with cream cheese and then deposited into the centers of these moist devil's food cupcakes — yum! —Platter Talk

For the Sky High Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes recipe, click here.

Chocolate chips, orange zest, and an orange zest icing are added to a simple biscotti recipe. The other ingredients you could add are endless — try nuts, berries, almost anything you'd like.

For the Chocolate Chip Orange Biscotti recipe, click here.

This glorious chocolate fudge marshmallow Oreo brownie pie is sinfully rich and delicious! Loaded with marshmallows, Oreos, and chocolate, who could go wrong? —The Baking ChocolaTess

For the Chocolate Fudge Marshmallows recipe, click here.

Inside each one of these caramel-frosted dark Milky Way cupcakes you'll find a surprise Milky Way Midnight mini. Drizzle with additional caramel for a super sweet treat. — Watch Learn Eat

For the Caramel-Frosted Dark Milky Way Cupcakes recipe, click here.

This recipe mixes dark chocolate, hazelnut liqueur and chocolate hazelnut spread to create a luxurious and rich pudding. Inside, there's a surprise: little pieces of chopped up Baci candies. — Coley Cooks

For the Walnuts and Chocolate Hazelnut Baci Panna Cotta recipe, click here.

This cake looks "devilish" on the outside, but has the "goodness" of zucchini and applesauce on the inside. — Kitchen Simmer  

For the Zucchini Chocolate Cake recipe, click here.

This cake combines the flavors of dark chocolate and refreshing orange in a moist cake recipe — irresistible.  

For the Dark Chocolate Creamsicle Bundt Cake recipe, click here.

Fresh mint ice cream perfectly complements the richness of chocolate brownies, and pistachios definitely brighten the flavor. — Divine Cuisine

For the Decadent Brownie Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe, click here.

This cake might be "ugly" in appearance, but it tastes decadent and sweet — it's exactly what you need to get rid of the winter blues.

For the Ugly Chocolate Fudge Loaf Cake recipe, click here.

The doughnuts themselves are simple, paleo chocolate doughnuts. You just need two bowls and a few minutes to whip them up – no mixer or egg-separating needed. They're not super sweet by themselves, which makes them the perfect counterpoint to this luscious cherry glaze. — A Calculated Whisk

For the Chocolate Doughnuts with Cherry Cheesecake Glaze recipe, click here.

If you love chocolate and cheesecake you should try this recipe right now. It's rich and decadent, and the hint of espresso takes this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

For the Chocolate Cheesecake Cups recipe, click here.

Instead of having a recipe that is rich with chocolate, try a more subtle take with this dessert. It incorporates chocolate chips to make a crust for a tart, has a Greek yogurt filling, and gets topped with pomegranates for a well-balanced dessert.

For the No-Bake Chocolate Pomegranate Tart recipe, click here.

I can't think of a better way to eat chocolate pudding — it has mint chocolate cookies and mint whipped cream! It's a simple dessert that is delicious and refreshing.

For the Easy Mint Chocolate Cookie Trifles recipe, click here.

This is a light, airy, and creamy chocolate mousse that you must try. Chocolate and coffee make a perfect pairing and the silky smooth texture is an added bonus.—Turmeric N' Spice

For the Chocolate Coffee Mousse recipe, click here.

This is an easy dessert transformed into a showstopper with the simple addition of the black raspberry ganache. — Patty Anderson Blog

For the Chocolate Cake with Black Raspberry Ganache recipe, click here.

This chocolate cherry tart is made with Imperial sugar and Divine chocolate (a pairing that can't be beat — it is out of this world delicious and decadent. — 2 Cookin Mamas

For the Chocolate Cherry Tart recipe, click here.