Because love is in the air, and everyone knows that chocolate is the universal language of love. Oui?

I have to confess that today’s theme was both incredibly enjoyable and difficult at the same time. Enjoyable because I spent six hours looking at all things chocolate, with emphasis on the word “chocolate.” And difficult because I spent six hours looking at all things chocolate, with emphasis on the words “six hours.” Sometimes, things just have a way of balancing themselves out.

It’s no surprise that chocolate is one of the most popular ingredients here at Tasty Kitchen. It’s not only in the usual dessert places, but you’ll also find it in more unconventional dishes, like a Guiness Beef Stew from theparsleythief. We even have a recipe here for Chocolate Hummus posted by incrediblecrunchyflavor.

(I know you don’t believe me, so I’ll wait a few minutes while you go check those links.)

It was quite a challenge to narrow down the number of recipes to include for this post, because there are just so many possible choices. Whether you’re planning something fancy, jazzing up an unassuming cupcake, or assembling a special gift box of bite-sized delights, there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for in here. Let’s look at some of the goodies we have, shall we?

First, let’s go fancy. Maybe you’re looking for something elegant, something that fits nicely in an intimate setting. Here are a few suggestions.

Clockwise from top left: Chocolate Panna Cotta with Espresso Cream from deborahmele; Chocolate Marshmallow Molten Cake from oneordinaryday; Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream and Mocha Hot Fudge Sauce (because everything tastes better with fudge sauce poured on top) by joythebaker; Chocolate and Vanilla Pot de Creme from whatsgabycooking; and Molten Chocolate Cake from brandielle.

 
 
 
Are you thinking, yes, they all look lovely, but your sweetie really is more into cakes or cupcakes? We’ve got that too, from classic Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream offered up by bakeaholic (below, left), to wild and ingenious Chocolate Chipotle Cupcakes from Bakerella (below, right), if you really want to spice things up.

 
 
 
Perhaps you want a change from all the pre-packaged gift boxes, and you’re looking for something special for the candy-lover in your life that’ll really knock their socks off. You can make Bakerella’s Red Velvet Cake Balls from the photo at the beginning of this post. Or take your pick from any of the ones below.

Clockwise from top left: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles from loveandoliveoil; Delectable Chocolate Truffles from Miss Jen; Chocolate Peppermint Creams from jodiemo; Simply Rustic Chocolate Truffles from Annalise; Dark Chocolate Truffles with Pomegranate Liqueur from missamy; and Lovely Little Chocolate Bundtlettes from callimakesdo.

 
 
 
If you’ve got any special dietary needs, don’t feel left out! Vegan, gluten free, dairy free—we’ve got you covered!

Clockwise from top left: Chocolate Raspberry Bonbons from elanaspantry; Chocolate Nemesis Cake from MsGourmet; Chocolate Angel Food Cake, Chocolate Ganache, Strawberries from jillelise; Vegan Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes from sodarnhappy; and Coconut Chocolate Pudding (it’s dairy free!) from craftedmybones.

 
 
 
I think it’s safe to say that, more than likely, you’ll find what you need in here. Or maybe you already have everything laid out and you’re all set, ready to go. If that’s the case, do share! It’s always great to hear from you, and your comments are a wonderful source of new ideas for everyone.

If you’re still looking for suggestions, keep in mind that the recipes in this post are but a small sample of what you can find here. I didn’t even get a chance to show you some fudge recipes, brownies, bars … and don’t even get me started on the incredible recipes you can find here for chocolate cookies, pies, cakes, ice cream, and pastries. Unless, of course, you’re prepare to be here all day. Or at least six hours.

 
Someone told me about a big game going down this weekend. For some, it’s THE biggest game of the year. There are folks who are so hip to the game that they know everything from the point spread to the MVP odds. Some simply watch it for the commercials. Maybe this year, a few will tune in just to see if The Who can still rock it. And few may be wondering what the big deal is about a giant dish that holds soup.

Whatever group you belong to, chances are, you’ll be around a bunch of other people this Super Bowl Sunday, whether it’s at your home or someone else’s home. There’ll be friends, family, loud conversations, and food. Lots of food. Mostly the kind that you can hold in your hand while jumping up from the couch either giving everyone high fives or trying very hard not to throw things at the television.

It’s been known to happen.

If that sounds like your upcoming weekend, we’ve got you covered! There are lots of game day choices here, from dips cold and warm, to all kinds of pizzas, finger foods, different versions of chili … and many of them require minimal preparation, so you can actually enjoy the game with everyone instead of being stuck in the kitchen where the smallest television in the house sits.

For starters, here’s a virtual staple for any football party: Salsa, Baby! TK member Stefanie’s recipe is fresh, simple, and is a cinch to throw together.

 
 
 
If warm dips are more your thing, how about this beauty from whiteonricecouple? Their Baked Sweet Onion Dip only needs about 20 minutes of prep time, and then it goes into the oven for a mere 30 to 45 minutes. (And no, there are no game day favorites being implied here with that horseshoe in the photo.)

 
 
 
You could also make cookingdunkinstyle’s wonderful spin on queso below. Her Chery’s Kicked Up Queso is just the thing to keep everyone dipping all day. Make sure you stock up on chips!

 
 
 
And take a look at these Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms from Mariel Emory. These little bites look so good that they may never make it past the kitchen.

 
 
 
If your worried about feeding a group of famished carnivores, we have just the thing for you. Here’s a Slow Cooker Pulled Pork from one of our other favorite guys around here, Cooking Ventures. It’ll make awesome sandwiches that will keep everyone happy, and maybe even some wraps for the ladies.

 
 
 
Make extra, so you can make some “brain-dead easy” Pulled Pork Pockets from our resident grilling pro, PatioDaddio.

 
 
 
So, do you have big plans for this Sunday’s big game? Are you going all out with your spread, or are you just planning on a big batch of your favorite chili and calling it a day? (If so, we have some Baked Hushpuppies from beachbumwannabe that’ll be a wonderful complement to your chili.) Or maybe pizza’s your thing, the kind that only needs a phone and some fast-dialing fingers.

Whatever it is you’re planning, here’s hoping your Sunday is filled with wonderful food, good friends, and screen-protected televisions. I hear they can repel BBQ sauce-coated projectiles.

We’re just looking out for you.