Chocolate Cake for Brunch Is the Newest Foodie Trend, and We’re Obsessed

Maggie McCracken
Nov 04, 2016

A new Sunday morning trend is sweeping the nation, and we’re not sad about it. The trend? Chocolate cake… FOR BRUNCH. There’s absolutely zero guilt to be found here, just some extremely satisfied brunch-goers savoring a decadent, chocolatey brunch treat. Let’s be real: So many of those super-sweet pancake recipes are *just* as desserty as chocolate cake, whether they come in the form of pancake muffins or cinnamon rolls. So take some inspiration from what brunchers around the nation are enjoying these days.

1. Edible Flowers Egg-Less Chocolate Cake: This completely egg-free cake is the stuff of brunch DREAMS. It’s topped with gooey chocolate frosting and pretty edible flowers, making it just as pretty to look at as it is yummy to eat.

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The whole past weekend in one photo: sweet, comfy and awfully long gone 🍰😌☕️ #happymonday #coffeetime #chocolatecake

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2. Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch Spread: A frothy cappuccino is the perfect complement to any kind of pastry, and chocolate cake is no exception. This spread features both, with the cake served alongside a strawberry glaze, powdered sugar and fresh fruit.

3. Cake ‘n’ Cream: This classic combination of chocolate cake and pillowy white cream is the perfect way to kick off any weekend morning. The crispy chocolate wafer gives you something a little crunchy to nom on too, rounding out this exquisite brunch treat.

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i think it's time for cake! what about a piece of chocolate cake with pear? #cakeparty #timeforcake #pear #chocolatecake #yummy #iloveit #bakedgoods #baking #baked #sodelicious #bakingismypassion #perfectforfall #pieceofcake

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4. Frostingless Cake: There are basically two kinds of people in this world: Those who absolutely ADORE frosting, and those who scrape it off their cakes. If you fall into the second group, there are plenty of cake-for-brunch options that are right up your alley. Take this frosting-free beauty, for example.

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nadgryziony, ale musicie zrozumieć #czekoladoholizm #chocolatecake #cakeadart

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5. Sweet As a Rose: If, however, you love a good, THICK frosting, there’s no reason to turn it down at brunch time! This cake’s beautiful floral frosting pattern takes the cake (see what we did there?) for prettiest brunch design EVER.

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Шоколадный торт-мусс с черникой✨ chocolate blueberry mousse cake #sugarfree #glutenfree #vegan #blueberry #chocolate #chocolatelover #chocolatecake #brownies #veganfoodshare #veganfood #vegancake #dessert #delicious #bakedwithlove #cake #healthyfood #healthy #healthyeating #healthydessert #treatyourself #siberianvegan #aquafaba

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6. Vegan Chocolate Mousse Cake: When it comes to chocolate cake, there’s an option out there for everyone. If you’re vegan, this frothy, creamy, whipped chocolate mousse cake will satisfy your cravings. It’s also topped with fresh blueberries, so you can truly say this is a well-rounded brunch meal (which should appeal to your health-conscious sensibilities).

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Pere e cioccolato 🍐🍫 🍐 #chocolate #pears #cake #pereecioccolato #torta

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7. Chocolate and Pear: Turns out, fresh pears are the perfect complement to chocolate cake. This particular combo also features a nut-and-chocolate-chip topping, giving some added crunch and texture to this lovely brunch option.

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There's always time for cake... This time it was my chocolate sweet pear cake with chocolate swiss buttercream topped with golden juicy pears. @hautescuisines #cakeforbrunch #hautecuisines

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8. Still Life: Speaking of pears, this super-pretty creation features flowers and fruit, all the components of a beautiful still-life painting. Be warned, though, it won’t look that way for very long — it may look too pretty to eat, but we all know there’s no such thing.

9. Designer Cake: This chocolate cake is piped with gold baubles and topped with an array of fresh flowers. Hues of orange, pink and purple dot the rich brown-and-gold cake, giving it an elegant, high-fashion look.

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#homemade #homemadefood #chocolate #chocolatecake #delicious #instafood #instagood #cake #cakestagram #cakes

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10. Chocolate Drizzle: How would you like to start your day wth this ooey, gooey, chocolatey treat? This individually portioned slice is drizzled with warm melted chocolate, making for a super-decadent brunch option.

11. Layer Cake: This cake includes two layers of chocolate goodness, with whipped, creamy chocolate mousse sandwiched in between. It’s baked to perfection, creating a melt-in-your mouth texture. We’d recommend pairing this with some fresh strawberries and a cup of espresso.

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Μake your Monday sweeter 🍬 #cravings #mondaysbelike . . . . #foodstagram #foodporn #foodpics #sweets #chocolate #chocolatecake #delights #fudge #brownies #nomnom #lifokichen #mood #monday #dietsoff #vibes #closeup #onthetable #tabletop #vscogram #vscocam #vscogrid #instafood #instadaily

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12. Chocolate Brownies: If you’re not quite ready to delve into a full slice of cake at brunch time, you could always opt to nom on some delicious brownies. They’re perfectly proportioned, giving you just a taste of the chocolatey indulgence that’s sweeping the nation. Brownies are basically just tiny servings of chocolate cake, after all.

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Soooo lecker Devil's Food Cheesecake #kuchen #schokokuchen #käsekuchen #teufelskäsekuchen #devilsfoodcake #devilscheesecake #lecker #schokolade #torte #cake #chocolate #chocolatecake #yummy #delicious #foodporn #ciasto #diabelskisernik #mojewypieki #mojewypiekicom #sernik #czekoladowy #czekolada #pycha #pyszności #ichliebefoodblogs @ich.liebe.foodblogs @mojewypiekicom

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13. Full Circle: Grab a slice, share a slice. Brunching with your besties is the perfect occasion for chocolate cake, as everyone can have a piece of the pie. Er, cake.

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10 Sweet Gifts for the Chocolate Lovers in Your Life

Chocolate doesn’t last long in my home — it’s both my vice and my joy. So when I’m gifted a little (or a lot), it instantly puts me in my happy place. Whether you’re indulging yourself or treating the chocolate lover in your life, these gifts go beyond the usual brands. We’ve rounded up gourmet, eco-conscious bars and truffles that are sure to impress — even the pickiest of chocoholics. Plan a chocolate date this weekend — or stash a few for special occasions (if you can resist, that is).

Here are 10 sweet gifts for the chocolate lovers in your life.

Compartés

Pink Elephants Dark Chocolate Bar

Feel like a kid again munching on this Pink Elephant Dark Chocolate + Animal Cookies chocolate bar. These colorful and playful bars are handmade in Los Angeles and so delicious.

GoodSam

GoodSam Dark Chocolate Bar

These keto-friendly vegan bars are just as decadent as the milk-based bars. And for dessert, whip up their Vegan Miso Chocolate Cake recipe, yum!

Christopher Elbow

Christopher Elbow Signature Chocolate Collection

What chocolate lover wouldn't love 36 pieces of gourmet chocolate bonbons with flavors like Fleur de Sel Caramel, Fresh Lemon, Champagne, and Macadamia Praline.

Bar and Cocoa

Chocolate Bars of the World Gift Box

This isn’t your average checkout aisle chocolate — it’s the kind that makes you think to yourself “whoa.” Go big with the 10-bar box of this award-winning chocolate and you’ve got a month-long flavor adventure that’s part treat, part treasure hunt.

Hu Chocolate

Hu Organic Milk Chocolate Bars

What I love about these chocolates is their simplicity — they’re made with clean, quality ingredients and completely free of artificial additives or unnecessary fillers. Yet they don’t hold back on flavor. Each bar is a pleasant surprise and suits all cravings: creamy, fruity, salty, and crunchy. This is your chocolate pantry staple.

SkinnyDipped

SkinnyDipped Super Dark + Sea Salt Almonds

These low-sugar snacks are so good they're perfect for every day and as a sweet gift to someone you love.

Mast Chocolate

Mast Chocolate Bar Gift Box

Mast packaging is always pretty enough to present as a gift individually, but this gift box offers up six organic chocolate bars, including dark chocolate with sea salt, dark chocolate with sea salt and almonds, and oat milk chocolate with cocoa nibs, for your favorite chocolate lover.

Raaka

Raaka Chocolate Best Seller Trio

The Coconut Milk bar in this trio is smooth and creamy with a hint of tropical sweetness, thanks to organic coconut and cacao butter; Bourbon Cask Aged brings a rich, smoky twist; and Pink Sea Salt strikes the perfect salty-sweet balance, using delicate Peruvian pink sea salt to enhance the flavor.

Alter Eco

Alter Eco Organic Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Truffles

Take a bite of these eco-friendly truffles and prepare to swoon. Each one is coated in rich Ecuadorian dark chocolate and finished with a delicate crunch of fleur de sel de Guérande. Inside? A creamy center made with coconut oil that melts in your mouth. Bonus: they're wrapped in plant-based, compostable wrappers.

Dandelion Chocolate

Dandelion Chocolate Tokyo & SF Collection

This limited-edition set comes in a sleek box featuring six bars—each crafted from the same beans, yet strikingly different, thanks to the unique interpretations by the company’s San Francisco and Tokyo teams.

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Love Whole Foods’ Berry Chantilly Cake? Now You Can Try It In Latte Form

Fans of Whole Foods’ iconic Berry Chantilly cake are going to want to run to their closest store, because there’s an all-new treat inspired by the famous dessert. Yep – the Whole Foods coffee bar just announced a Berry Chantilly Latte that pulls flavor inspiration from the beloved treat, and it looks extremely tasty.

Scroll on for everything to know about Whole Foods’ new Berry Chantilly Latte!

Whole Foods

In case you haven't experienced the sheer magic that is the Whole Foods Berry Chantilly cake, it’s an item from their bakery counter that’s earned cult-favorite status since its launch 13 years ago.

The cake features layers of vanilla cake slathered with Chantilly cream frosting and a fresh medley of berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Per Whole Foods, it’s so iconic that customers have stood in line for it through power outages and natural disasters.

Greta Hoffman / PEXELS

Seeing that the cake itself is so adored, it’s no surprise that Whole Foods’ coffee bar just dropped a latte inspired by each sweet, sweet bite. The new Berry Chantilly Latte highlights notes of "creamy vanilla sweetened with berries and a whisper of almond.”

@wholefoods

Per Food Network, the development team behind the new sip desired a “not-too-sweet” effect, ultimately choosing a combo of strawberry and almond for the drink. Of course, it's loaded up with shots of espresso to round out the sweeter flavors.

Whole Foods

Once Whole Foods introduced the Berry Chantilly Latte on Instagram, tons of coffee-loving shoppers sounded off with excitement.

“Say no more. On our way!! 😍😍” one person commented.

“My favorite latte of all time 10/10,” another said.

“Got it this morning and it does not disappoint!!” one more user said. “Wish it was permanent!!”

Amazon

Available to order hot or iced and with your choice of milk, the new Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Latte will be in participating locations through July 1.

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5 “Classic” Easter Chocolates, Ranked By A Certified Sweet Tooth

I am undeniably a chocolate lover by nature, and aside from Christmas, Easter is one of my favoritesweet treat-centered holidays because all the festive egg- and bunny-shaped chocolates hit shelves, sparking my cravings (and teasing my wallet).

I’ve probably tried every kind of Easter chocolate under the sun, so I’m ranking the 5 I view as the most classic. All of these Easter chocolates are great in their own ways and will certainly satisfy anyone when added to their Easter basket, so take this ranking with a grain of salt.

Read on for my full ranking of the 5 best classic Easter chocolates.

Amazon

1. Cadbury Crème Eggs

When I think of Easter chocolates, my mind immediately goes to Cadbury Crème Eggs. They’re filled with a gooey fondant that is downright addictive. Once you break through the chocolate shell, you’re faced with a deliciously silky sugar concoction that, for me, feels really nostalgic to snack on since I’d get one in my Easter basket just about every year.

While some people may find ‘em too decadent, I think Cadbury Crème Eggs are the #1 Easter chocolate, hands-down, because they’re always tasty. We love a reliable treat – but you definitely do have to enjoy these one at a time since they’re undeniably rich.

Amazon

2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs

Next up on my (very subjective) ranking of Easter chocolates is none other than Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs! I’ll take Reese’s stunning peanut butter filling in any form I can have it, but the egg shape this treat takes on for Easter just makes it feel even more special.

Amazon

Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs totally master the perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter, which can be a nice departure for my tastebuds from just straight-up chocolate, like the other Easter chocolates on this list. Thus, I’m placing it in the #2 spot.

Amazon

3. Easter M&M’s

I love me a colorful treat, and I love me some M&M’s – which is why the Easter M&M’s that come in the cutest pastels every April simply had to place somewhere this ranking.

Amazon

Though I don’t view these as the most show-stopping Easter chocolates (they’re quite literally the same as the regular M&M’s you can get year-round in flavor and form), they’re still a festive treat worth snagging from the store. By themselves, I have to put them in the #3 spot – though I’d consider granting more points if you give ‘em to me on top of a slice of Easter cake.

Amazon

4. Cadbury Mini Eggs

My note about colors also applies to the next Easter chocolate: Cadbury Mini Eggs. Decked out in adorable pastel candy shells, these egg-shaped chocolates always come around at Eastertime – though they’re not really the first thing I reach for. Though, when I do get my hands on them, I find that their small size makes them extremely snackable, and they disappear quite quickly.

Amazon

5. Chocolate Bunnies

I don't mean to be the Scrooge of Easter, but at this point, chocolate bunnies are so expected. I have eaten many in my lifetime, but they never truly blow me away. Don’t get me wrong: I still love chocolate, but there’s also something that feels so wrong when I bite off the bunny’s ears. And face. And body.

It would take a really great chocolate bunny to impress me – most ones I’ve had are lower in quality and vary in being too thick or too thin to bite into easily.

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This Returning Trader Joe’s Easter Dessert Is “So Popular,” Shoppers Are Buying 5 At A Time

The spring goodies at Trader Joe’s just keep on coming! The latest addition to the grocer’s seasonal lineup is none other than their famed sheet cake – reimagined in a classic spring flavor. Trader Joe’s fans are already scrambling to find this $6 dessert at their local stores because it’s “soooo yummy” and simply “the best.” It’s also a stunning option for celebrating Easter or sharing sweets with your loved ones just because!

Scroll on to discover the returning Trader Joe’s sheet cake flavor you won’t want to miss this spring.

@trader_joes_treasure_hunt

That’s right, Trader Joe’s sheet cake fans: the Carrot Mini Sheet Cake has officially hit shelves – just in time for all the best spring festivities. This returning product boasts a “moist, flavorful” carrot cake base topped with plenty of cream cheese frosting. This traditional combo truly can’t be beat!

Trader Joe’s

The Carrot Mini Sheet Cake joins Trader Joe’s existing sheet cake lineup that is entirely too yummy. Their current flavors include mainstays like Dark Chocolate Ganache and Chantilly Cream Vanilla Bean, alongside the newer (and gluten-free!) Yellow Cake. TJ’s tends to launch new flavors for their sheet cakes around each season – they’ve even had a Pumpkin Spice version in the past!

Reddit

One Trader Joe’s fan on Reddit happily announced when the Carrot Mini Sheet Cakes came back to shelves, and plenty of other users chimed in on the excitement.

“I can’t wait,” one person said.

“BRB, about to cause a carrot cake shortage in the New York Metro Area,” another Redditor commented.

More customers raved about the returning spring dessert on another thread under r/TraderJoe’s:

“I went yesterday and have 5 in my freezer for now…” one person said. “I will continue to buy single ones but now have a stash in case they sell out for the season. It is by far my favorite of the mini sheet cakes.”

Another user noted that the Carrot Mini Sheet Cake is “moist, and the frosting is fantastic, not too sweet.”

Reddit

Trader Joe’s fan account @trader_joes_treasure_hunt also shared the new find with their followers, with countless shoppers expressing their excitement:

“These cakes any flavor are so good!” one person wrote.

“Best carrot cake I ever had in my life,” another said.

“Holy sheet I love some sheet cake,” someone else commented.

Reddit

The smooth cream cheese frosting makes it an excellent blank canvas to add Easter-themed sprinkles or even small chocolate eggs for the holiday, though it’ll still taste like heaven if you eat it plain. The size of this sheet cake is perfect for sharing with a small group – or just keeping all to yourself this spring!

Reddit

The Trader Joe’s Carrot Mini Sheet Cake is currently in stores now for $5.99 each. It’s only available for a limited time, so you’ll definitely want to hurry to try it before it’s gone!

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Everyone's Losing It Over The Latest 'Narnia' Casting Rumor: "Deeply Troubling"

Greta Gerwig's Narnia has generated some buzzy casting rumors over the last few months. Charli XCX, Daniel Craig, and even Joseph Quinn have all been a part of the rumor mill (but considering I've been waiting for news on this adaptation since it was acquired by Netflix in 2018, I'm not mad about all the chatter!). And the latest Narnia casting rumor has cause more conversation on the internet than anything else. Meryl Streep might be voicing Aslan.

Here's everything we know about the Aslan & Meryl Streep casting rumor in Greta Gerwig's Narnia movies.

Is Meryl Streep in the Narnia cast?

Meryl Streep is reportedly in talks to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig's Narnia movies. The casting rumor first broke on March 31, leading some people to wonder if it was an early April Fool's Day joke, until Deadlineconfirmed the rumor on April 3. Fans of the book have called the choice everything from "interesting" to "cruel," and the conversation revolves around one particular question: are they making Aslan female?

A lot of Narnia fans were taken aback by the rumor about Meryl Streep because of the fact Aslan is an allegory for Jesus (referred to in the Bible as the Lion of Judah) — especially since Aslan's mane is such an integral part of the series, and lioness' typically don't have manes.

When the White Witch sacrifices Aslan on the Stone Table in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, she shaves off his mane in an attempt to shame him and strip away his identity as King of Narnia. Lucy Pevensie hiding her face in his mane in Prince Caspian plays a huge role in bolstering her courage and faith, and the mane even comes into play during The Last Battle before (spoiler alert) Narnia gets destroyed.

'Narnia' fans have a lot of opinions about a female Aslan.

The most iconic visual of the Narnia series, arguably more than the wardrobe or the lamppost, is Aslan's mane. "If it’s true that Aslan has been changed to a female lion in the upcoming film, it’s deeply troubling that the filmmakers would make the choice to visually distance itself from The Chronicles of Narnia as it has always been known to its fans and the public imagination," one Narnia fan wrote on NarniaWeb. "It would be hard to look at a decision like that and not think that they were deliberately disassociating from the Narnia canon."

Another fan on NarniaWeb points out that having Meryl potentially voice a male Aslan "would be a fine way to convey the genderless nature of the soul. Aslan transcends all of that and was never bound by the idea of duality in the way that the ‘fallen’ believe they are."

@bereckerwentviral for his claim that fans who are upset about the casting simply "hate women" (yes, some of the backlash to Meryl's casting rumor has been atrocious). "I would like to officially say that if I die, I would be more than honored if Meryl Streep were to play me in my biopic, she’s the greatest to ever do it," he said in the comments.

"Meryl was hired based on merit. She’s the best," another Instagram user said in the comments.

However, Netflix hasn't confirmed Meryl Streep as Aslan.

Disney/Walden Media

Let the record show that, as of writing this story on April 7, Netflix hasn't actually confirmed anything about the movie outside Greta as director and Atonement cinematographer Seamus McGarvey as Director of Photography. Whether the film is a The Magician's Nephew adaptation, whether Daniel Craig is playing Uncle Andrew, and whether Meryl Streep is actually voicing Aslan are speculation at this point.

As one viral tweet puts it, "Increasingly convinced Greta either has no idea what she wants to do with this movie or has a vision so incredible nobody else can see it." Stay tuned for official casting announcements!

What do you think about the Netflix Narnia casting rumors so far? Let us know on Facebook.

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