How is your day going? We bet a bit of chocolate cake would make it better — like, way better. And if a bit makes it better, then for good measure, let’s up the stakes to 24 different and divine chocolate cakes and just have a ball. From classic layered numbers to waffle cake masterpieces, we’ve got all your chocolate cake dreams covered. Tie back your hair, and let’s get to baking!
Sarah Anderson
This chocolate cake has a tinge of red wine to really complement all the flavors. It's the perfect delicacy for dinner parties or even a lil' Valentine's celebration! (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)
Brit + Co
The umami notes of miso work surprisingly well with chocolate. Bake up the power duo in this delicious (and easy!) sheet cake. (via Brit + Co)
Half Baked Harvest
When you get a bite of both the creamy ice cream and fudgy chocolate layers in this cake, you will experience absolute heaven. (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)
Brit + Co
You need to make these festive chocolate-covered cake bites adorned with adorable star sprinkles. Since no slicing is involved, this is a great dessert to serve at parties or picnics. (via Brit + Co)
Brit + Co
Get pumped for Halloween with our beautiful, bugged out chocolate cake recipe! (via Brit + Co)
Completely Delicious
This chocolate cake is made with sour cream, which transforms each bite to be super tender and soft. (via Completely Delicious)
No Eggs Or Ham
These single-serve chocolate cakes are topped with cinnamon-espresso whipped cream and cayenne dust to create an otherworldly tasting experience. You'll be surprised at just how well the spice works with this recipe's sweetness. (via No Eggs Or Ham)
Earthly Provisions
Just look at that beautiful blueberry icing! (via Earthly Provisions)
Vikalinka
Once a chocolate cake recipe turns bite-sized, our cravings run wild. These truffles are easy to make and even easier to customize with toppings of your choice depending on the occasion! (via Vikalinka)
Two Peas & Their Pod
Your next Christmas dessert awaits! (via Two Peas & Their Pod)
Feel Good Foodie
We are absolute fiends for mug cakes! This one is nothing but chocolatey, thanks to the easy chocolate batter dotted with many more chocolate chips. (via Feel Good Foodie)
The First Mess
These rich mini cakes combine orange juice and orange zest to provide a little bit of a lighter end note to the dark chocolate glaze. (via The First Mess)
Pink Owl Kitchen
This chocolate cake slathered in peanut butter frosting earns its "midnight" nickname from the rich black cocoa powder that's worked into the decadent batter. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
The Original Dish
Coffee and rose are a match made in heaven when you add in a bit of chocolate. (via The Original Dish)
Foolproof Living
The perfect excuse to break out that waffle maker — and eat cake for breakfast. This pick layers dark chocolate waffles with a mascarpone filling for a unique twist on layer cake. (via Foolproof Living)
How Sweet Eats
Homemade cake donuts – chocolate-frosted and sprinkled to perfection – are what we dream about before that alarm goes off in the AM. (via How Sweet Eats)
The Healthy Foodie
This chocolate cake recipe is packed with healthy goodness, but trust: you won’t miss any of the decadence. Zucchini, coconut oil and avocado stand in for unhealthy fats to give this recipe its richness. (via The Healthy Foodie)
Averie Cooks
Sometimes a girl just needs a giant bowl of cake batter all to herself. This batter-inspired smoothie recipe has all the chocolate flavor you crave. (via Averie Cooks)
Sweetapolita
Stacks of rich chocolate cake layered between malted Belgian-chocolate frosting and toasted marshmallow filling, this sky-scraping piece of campfire-inspired heaven is truly a masterpiece. (via Sweetapolita)
Style Me Pretty
With beauty and braun, this pansy-covered chocolate layer cake would be absolutely precious at a tea party or ladies’ lunch. (via Style Me Pretty)
Smitten Kitchen
Since it has “banana bread” in the title, you have full permission to have this one for breakfast. (via Smitten Kitchen)
Green Kitchen Stories
This simple, wholesome bundt cake has less than 10 ingredients. It’s naturally gluten-free, with no refined sugar or dairy. (via Green Kitchen Stories)
My Baking Addiction
This pick shares the secret to a perfectly pink, fluffy raspberry buttercream to slather on your cake (and eat by the spoonful). (via My Baking Addiction)
Which chocolate cake recipes will you be making? Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more delicious desserts!
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
If you know me, you know I'm a die hard Outer Banks season 1 fan. I binge watched the entire thing with my family in 2020 while quarantining on the real OBX, I joined the Drew Starkey fan club the moment he stepped onscreen, and I was obsessed with JJ and Kiara way before the internet started shipping them. So, needless to say, I've been waiting for Outer Banks season 4 with baited breath — especially when I heard rumors it would focus on JJ (Rudy Pankow) the way previous seasons had focused on John B. (Chase Stokes) in season 1, Pope (Jonathan Daviss) in season 2, and Kiara (Madison Bailey) in season 3.
I think season 1 will always be my favorite, but Outer Banks season 4 part 1 pleasantly surprised me. We're far enough into the show that we really care about the characters, and they have enough history with one another that we're invested in their decisions. Plus, returning to the OBX provided real-world stakes I could relate to as a viewer: family drama, dealing with bullies, and more. No matter whether you really love JJ, or you're always dreaming about your next beach vacation, here's whyOuter Banks season 4 absolutely NEEDS to be your weekend binge. (Serious spoilers ahead!!!)
Netflix
FINALLY! After a couple of seasons in the Caribbean and South America, Outer Banks is back, well, on the Outer Banks. Honestly, this automatically makes the season better because it provides a ton of familiarity, nostalgia, and comfort for readers. And it also provides a realistic, grounded aspect to the adventure. Because let's be honest, a group of teens hopping on a tiny plane and taking part in a jungle treasure hunt requires a little too much suspension of disbelief for me. Plus, just like Gossip Girl wouldn't be the same without Blair and Serena hitting up Bergdorf's, a Pogue beach & surfing day just feels right.
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
The first episode of Outer Banks season 4 catches us up on that season 3 time jump. After learning how much money they actually have their hands on, the Pogues move into JJ's old house (renaming it "Poguelandia 2.0"), and open a bait, tackle, and charter shop. While I have a few questions about how six teens literally built a business without the help of a contractor, I love seeing this group lead regular lives. The shop plays into their strengths and allows them to cultivate their relationships in normal settings instead of life-or-death ones. Friendships are made in those boring moments, IMO.
Netflix
Because so much of Outer Banks season 4 takes place on the OBX, it means John B., Sarah, JJ, Kie, Pope, and Cleo are once again clashing with Topper, Rafe, and the rest of the Kooks. Despite the fact this season features plenty of death-defying stunts, the scene that will stick with me the most is when the Pogues and Kooks wind up at the same beach access.
I audibly gasped when Ruthie, Topper's new girlfriend, plays chicken with the Pogues on the beach, almost hitting Kiara with her Jeep and running over a turtle hatch in the process. (IRL, protecting endangered sea turtles & their hatches are a big deal on the Outer Banks, so this definitely got a visceral reaction from me).
At the end of the day, the major (and arguably, the most painful) conflict of this teen drama is how the Kooks make the Pogues feel like they don't belong anywhere. And if you ask me, exploring this tension and these relationships is where the show truly shines.
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
That being said, I found the villains this season, Lightner and Dalia, to be way scarier than I expected — especially once Lightner killed Terrance and almost killed Cleo. Every time he showed up onscreen, my heart started pounding like he was chasing me! The thought of being stuck in my bait shop alone with a creepy guy, especially one brandishing a knife? Thank you, next.
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
After Outer Banks season 3, the one thing I said I didn't want the show to do was go into supernatural, ghost territory. Turns out, that's exactly where we're going. Wes Genrette and his son-in-law Chandler Groff hire the Pogues to find Blackbeard's treasure, but it doesn't take long for them to realize they're once again in over their heads.
Wes is a direct descendent of Francis Genrette, the man responsible for killing Blackbeard and his wife Elizabeth. Now, Elizabeth haunts every generation of the Genrette family, and once she appears, you don't have long to live. Wes reveals his daughter Larissa (Chandler's late wife) saw Elizabeth a week before she died, and Wes himself has seen her, which means his days are numbered.
Now the Pogues have to find Elizabeth's amulet to break the curse. Their race against Lightner and Dalia brings Pope, Cleo, Sarah, and John B. to Charleston — and leavesPope and Sarah trapped in a crypt as it slowly floods.
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
If this show has proven anything, it's that the OBX is far from paradise. This season, some big names are trying to turn The Cut — including Poguelandia 2.0 — into an extension of the wealthier Figure Eight. Things get even more complicated when Hollis, who worked with Ward before he died, wants Rafe to be her financial partner...and then gets his girlfriend Sofia to convince him to sign her contract.
Netflix
Drew Starkey admitted after season 1 that he didn't care whether Rafe got a redemption arc, and I agreed at the time. I found the idea of Rafe, who was so driven to please his father he'd literally murder for him, incredibly compelling. Plus, he's been the ringleader of the War on Pogues this whole time, so suddenly making him sympathetic towards them felt like backtracking on his character.
But now that I've seen him with Sofia, the romantic in me is kicking her feet and giggling.
Rafe still has his moments (like saying he'd never date a Pogue after finding out Sofia was from The Cut), but for better or worse, Sofia brings out the best in him. And in the aftermath of Ward's death, and his ultimate wish that Sarah and Rafe would make up, feeling sympathy for the Pogues might be Rafe's way of staying loyal to his dad.
I just want to know how Rafe is going to respond when he finds out Sofia overheard his comments about never dating a Pogue...and then tricked him into signing Hollis' contract. Messy, messy.
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
After JJ & Kiara said goodbye to JJ's dad Luke in Outer Banks season 2, he's been totally off the grid. Except, apparently, he hasn't? JJ learns Luke is back when he visits Barracuda Mike, but the father-son bonding quickly takes a turn for the crazy when Luke drops a piece of news that changes everything: he isn't JJ's biological father. Chandler Groff is.
Netflix
JJ's entire character is based around the fact he's proud to be a Pogue. He hates the Kooks and everything they stand for, which is why when Luke reveals he isn't JJ's biological father, and that JJ is related to the Groff/Genrette clan, it totally sends JJ into orbit.
This Kook identity is something he's been running from the entire series — even before Kie had to reassure him that finding the gold didn't make them Kooks — and he's going to have to do some serious soul searching to figure out who he actually is now.
I was wholly sold on the theory Outer Banks 4 would reveal JJ and Sarah were siblings, but this is a pretty good alternative. And who knows? Maybe they're cousins. Fingers crossed JJ doesn't get a deadly visit from Elizabeth's ghost in part 2...
What did you think about Outer Banks season 4 part 1? Check out 9 Insane Outer Banks Theories That Would Totally Change The Show for more while you wait for part 2!
Sometimes you just want your cocktail to bite back – and with more than just vodka. When herbal drinks and floral concoctions just don’t do it for you, think about adding a little bit of chili to your libations! You’ve experienced savoriness in your Bloody Mary (and even your margarita from time to time), but how about a gin and tonic or a Moscow mule? It’s time to step out of your comfort zone and try some spicy cocktails with your next brunch feast or happy hour get-together. Scroll down for 14 spicy cocktails that’ll definitely get you sweatin'.
Cozy Cravings
Watermelon is just the refreshing flavor note you need to balance out the jalapeño in these spicy cocktails. (via Cozy Cravings)
Tito's Vodka
Pickles and jalapeños go surprisingly well together in this delightfully briny concoction. (via Tito's Vodka)
A Spicy Perspective
You haven't lived until you've tried a michelada. This iteration works in some extra spice to get the party goin'! (via A Spicy Perspective)
Gastroplant
These spicy cocktails are like a hybrid between your favorite green juice and a classic marg. Packed with kale, ginger, and orange juice, they're an equally healthy and boozy sip! (via Gastroplant)
Mixop
Mango and habanero will always be a match made in heaven. You'll get a swig of spicy, fruity, sweet, and sour with these gorgeous spicy cocktails! (via Mixop)
Heather Christo
There’s a good chance you’ll never buy store-bought Bloody Mary mix ever again after having these spicy sips. Plus, bacon as a garnish? Yes, please! (via Heather Christo)
Jonathan Melendez
Put that cocktail muddler to work with this serrano and tomato-infused gin and tonic. Serve 'em ice-cold with cucumber and a salt, pepper, and cayenne-dipped rim. (via Jonathan Melendez)
Nerds With Knives
You may not be surprised to see hibiscus in a cocktail, but you might be shocked to drink it with jalapeño. Don’t knock it ’til you try it, because the flavor is *fire.* (via Nerds With Knives)
Inspired by Charm
If you’re intimidated by adding peppers to your spicy cocktails, try adding a small amount to a sweet drink to balance it out. This one has jalapeño suspended in a mixture of vodka, pineapple juice, and simple syrup. (via Inspired by Charm)
Cooking For Keeps
Take your stay-cation seriously by lounging outside with a pitcher of these spicy mango daiquiris. You might want to have a glass of water nearby, because these puppies pack a punch. (via Cooking For Keeps)
Cookie + Kate
Make these spicy cocktails at home to serve a whole crowd of happy tequila drinkers. (via Cookie + Kate)
Best Friends for Frosting
Your sangria isn’t immune to the power of peppers. Go for a ripe Chardonnay with tropical flavors to best match up with the pineapple juice and jalapeño! (via Best Friends for Frosting)
Cake ‘n Knife
You don’t need a ton of frills to enjoy a zesty, spicy cocktail. This gimlet requires only good quality vodka, lime juice, and jalapeño simple syrup to create a strong sip. (via Cake ‘n Knife)
Foolproof Living
This little number is not for the faint of heart. Thankfully, the sweet and sour flavor of the margarita mix and the cooling effect of cilantro diffuse the spiciness, so it doesn’t totally overwhelm the palate. (via Foolproof Living)
Hello Little Home
If you’re over the classic margarita, a paloma is a great tequila cocktail to take its place! (via Hello Little Home)
Vintage Kitty
Use cucumber and basil to create a cooling base to saturate this bev with spicy flavor. (via Vintage Kitty)
Check out our complete list of hot cocktails for more drink inspiration!
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
Some of us have sensitive tear ducts that seem to get triggered if the wind blows a little too hard — which can make it so tough for those of us who love a good liquid eyeliner. Suddenly, you look like you were just sobbing about a breakup, when in reality your allergies just got the best of you, leaving streaks of eyeliner and mascara.
However, it IS possible to find the best liquid eyeliner to wear that's long-lasting, waterproof, and perfectly pigmented. Skip the hard-to-grip and smudgy products for these 7 incredible options I found. Trust, you'll barely have to reapply them throughout the day, leaving your makeup flawless for hours and hours!
Target
This is virtually unheard of, but this is probably the best liquid eyeliner you're ever going to wear. 88% of Target's customers recommend it, feeling you're getting the best quality for your money. Though it doesn't have the highest long-lasting rating, it still gets the job done when wearers need it to.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
From Target:
From e.l.f. Cosmetics:
Amazon
There's a reason why this is considered the best liquid eyeliner on Amazon. It's the overall pick as it's been purchased over 30,000 times and has a 4.5 rating! Also, Amazon noted it's something most customers keep which speaks volumes. So, what makes it so great?
It's a matte, waterproof formula that's going to give you a long-lasting effect and it has a super short precision tip to make your lines look on point. Whether you're going for a cat-eye look or something to complete your Halloween costume, this is your best bet!
Amazon
Aside from NYX's Epic Ink Liner, Maybelline's liquid eyeliner is another popular pick on Amazon. It has a similar precise tip that ensures it'll glide on easily — even if your hand isn't the steadiest. It's also hooded eye-friendly (IYKYK) which should bring a sigh of relief to anyone who's tired of seeing smudged eye makeup.
Amazon
This Stila waterproof liquid eyeliner is perfect for all-day wear! You can create so many looks, from lightly outlining your eyes to packing on the drama. Plus, Amazon customers love how this eyeliner allows them to get "super smooth, fine lines" with "no smudging or bleeding." Incredible!
Sephora
Can I get a little commotion for his vegan liquid eyeliner? It's totally gonna become another beauty staple soon. It's easy to use and has a buildable formula that doesn't waste time drying. Did I mention it's also long-lasting? In the words of my favorite social media sound, "You better get one of these!"
Sephora
It seems like the top-rated liquid eyeliners have one thing in common: they're waterproof. And this option from Anastasia Beverly Hills is no exception to that! Plus, this one claims to be highly-pigmented — which doesn't seem like a reach if you know how good Anastasia Beverly Hills' products are.
P.S. There's no parabens, phthalates, or mineral oils in it.
Sephora
Rounding this list out is this amazingly vegan liquid eyeliner by One/Size! I've already made a case for their setting spray so it doesn't surprise me that this makes other customers happy too. It glides on super smooth and fits comfortably in your hand so you won't experience a classic case of butter fingers when applying it.
It's also free of the following:
Follow us on Pinterest for more beauty finds, tips, and tricks!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Pizza night is nothing to play around with — you like your plain, deep dish pizza and that's it. But, what if there's a creative pizza recipe that you haven't tried and is destined to be your fave? It's time to branch out and experiment with unusual toppings and buttery naan crust. Naan bread is *so* easy to use as a base for your pies, and you can top it with anything you like. To get major dinner inspo (and beyond), check out the naan pizza recipes below.
Alanna Taylor-Tobin for Masala & Meatballs
Master the recipe for a simple naan bread, and you will have the base to any pizza you can dream of.
The Creative Bite
Naan cooks up to a nice crispy crust when you make it in the air fryer.
Laughing Spatula
You can make this smoked salmon naan bread for an impressive brunch.
Sidewalk Shoes
Fig jam brings a little sweetness to this naan pizza, helping to smooth out the gamey saltiness of prosciutto. Sprinkle on some walnuts for crunch, and you’ve got a textural masterpiece for dinner.
The Last Food Blog
If you're vegetarian but miss the flavor kick of pepperoni, try loading your naan pizza with bold toppings like olives, pesto, red pepper flakes, and grilled artichokes. Toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, and a spritz of lemon juice finish the whole thing off.
What Should I Make For
Blue cheese has a strong flavor that can overwhelm other ingredients, but it’s well met here by sweet figs and peppery arugula. A drizzle of vinaigrette on top makes every last bite pop.
Peas and Crayons
Roasting cherry tomatoes amplifies their flavor. They’re the star of this pizza, joined by spinach, milky mozzarella, and garlic.
Averie Cooks
Putting raw dough on the grill can lead to a huge mess. Get that char you love without having to worry about fire hazards by using naan as your pizza base, which will stay firm while your ingredients cook instead of dripping through your grill grates.
Peas and Crayons
Fresh tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella top these pizzas. A thin layer of tomato sauce keeps the naan base from drying out, and a balsamic drizzle ties all of the flavors together.
Hello Veggie
Swap tomatoes for peaches to make a unique naan margherita pizza that celebrates sunshine. Pair with a bottle of rosé and you’ll get total staycation vibes.
Foxes Love Lemons
Two surefire ways to make eating salad for lunch more exciting: Go with a Cobb, and serve it on grilled naan.
Recipe Runner
Smoky, spicy tandoori chicken tops this pizza, accentuated by the crunch of vegetable ribbons and toasted cashews.
She Likes Food
When it’s too hot to turn on the oven (or you just don’t feel like cooking), throwing together this hummus pizza is your best bet. A soft naan base topped with a creamy chickpea spread and crunchy, colorful veggies is a refreshing, nourishing meal.
The Rustic Foodie
We can’t think of a better way to get in our daily veggies than roasting them and using them to top a naan pizza. Well, a little mozzarella doesn’t hurt either.
Bowl of Delicious
No sauce? No problem! Make a white pizza that showcases the beauty of a simple sautéed vegetable topping.
Show Me The Yummy
Their salty, smoky flavor can stand up to any cocktail or beer, so if you want leftovers, you should probably double this recipe.
The Recipe Critic
Be prepared for a flavor explosion that will blow your mind. From the tangy peanut sauce base to the rich coconut cream that’s drizzled on top, this Thai pizza has a delicious surprise in every bite.
Host the Toast
So, you can't decide between ordering pizza and your favorite Indian takeout? Combine the two at a fraction of the cost by making this tandoori chicken naan pizza at home. We especially love how the mango and fresh herbs brighten up the flavors of the spicy chicken.
The Blond Cook
Word to the wise… once you try this pizza your standards for all others will be very high. To make it extra special, try drizzling the top with homemade Thousand Island dressing.
Joyful Healthy Eats
If you’ve never had a sauceless pizza, now is the opportunity to change that. When that first juicy cherry tomato bursts in your mouth, you’ll experience a level of flavor that’s low-key mind blowing.
Bowl of Delicious
We dare you to find a better way to use up your leftover BBQ chicken. Just be sure you don’t add too much sauce to the pizza so that your crust doesn’t get soggy.
Smile Sandwich
Don't be a pizza hog. Pick up some mini naan flatbreads, and suddenly your go-to individual pizza becomes a tantalizing dinner for everyone.
Follow us on Pinterest for more recipe inspo!
This post has been updated.
