From a white chocolate cheesecake tart and flourless chocolate cake to double chocolate olive oil and marbled matcha cookies, explore chocolate’s endless versatility

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hocolate is a truly magical ingredient. Not only is it a powerhouse of flavour, it also pairs beautifully with other ingredients to make something incredible. Chocolate isn’t one note, mind; from the heady richness of an intense dark chocolate to the nostalgic creaminess of milk chocolate and the often maligned simplicity of white chocolate, it can be the star of the show or simply the supporting act. Chocolate can do it all.

This is my go-to dinner party dessert. It’s simple, can be made ahead, and is guaranteed to go down a storm. The cake batter is a pretty classic flourless one; the difference lies in the method used to bake it. Half is baked as usual, then the remaining batter is added on top. The cake then gets a brief second bake, just until the crust is set. The top layer remains as light and airy as a chocolate mousse while the bottom layer is closer to a fudge brownie. Because this is a flourless cake, it also happens to be gluten-free. Take the dessert to the next level and serve in a puddle of nutmeg-infused creme anglaise.