As The Great British Bake Off celebrates Chocolate Week, there’s no better time to indulge in Britain’s favourite sweet ingredient. But while most of us think of chocolate as the star of gooey brownies and rich tortes, this versatile ingredient can add depth, warmth and even savoury complexity to dishes far beyond dessert.
From velvety sauces to earthy glazes, a touch of cocoa or dark chocolate can transform a meal from comforting to unforgettable. Here’s how to bring a little Bake Off flair into your own kitchen — with three ways to use chocolate from starter to sweet.
Starter: Smoky Chilli & Cocoa Soup
A savoury twist that surprises the palate, this soup blends the gentle heat of chilli with the richness of dark chocolate.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 25g 70% dark chocolate
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
- Add chilli and paprika, cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes and stock, then simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir through the dark chocolate until melted, season and blend until smooth.
Serve with a swirl of crème fraîche and crusty bread.
Main: Chocolate & Chipotle Beef Chilli
Chocolate and beef might sound bold — but it’s a classic pairing in Mexican cuisine. The cocoa rounds out the heat and brings a silky richness to the sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 500g beef mince
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 400g tinned tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chipotle paste
- 25g dark chocolate
- 400g kidney beans
Method:
- Fry the mince in olive oil until browned.
- Add onion and garlic, cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato purée, chipotle and spices.
- Pour in tomatoes, add beans and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Stir through the chocolate before serving for a deep, smoky flavour.
Serve with rice, lime wedges and fresh coriander.
Dessert: Salted Chocolate & Olive Oil Pots
Simple, elegant and undeniably indulgent — the salt and olive oil bring a grown-up twist to these silky chocolate pots.
Ingredients:
- 150g dark chocolate (70%)
- 200ml double cream
- 100ml milk
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Flaky sea salt and a drizzle of good olive oil to serve
Method:
- Gently heat the cream, milk, sugar and vanilla in a pan until steaming.
- Pour over the chopped chocolate and stir until smooth.
- Divide between ramekins and chill for 2 hours.
- Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.
Whether you’re inspired by Bake Off’s showstoppers or simply want to try something new, chocolate is the secret ingredient that can elevate every course. From its deep savoury notes to its comforting sweetness, it’s proof that sometimes the best things in life really do start with chocolate.