It’s the most decadent time of the year!

(And many of them are evenmake-ahead.)

Topped with a smooth chocolate glaze enhanced with coffee, it’s the perfect after-dinner treat.

Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

This one has layers of spiced chocolate cake, marshmallow topping, and ganache.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

This gluten-free cake is moist, dark, and rich.

Serve thin slivers topped with sweetened whipped cream and berries for a delicious end to a rich meal.

Southern Living Chocolate Bundt Cake

Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Not only are the cake layers wonderfully tender, the rich and fudgy frosting is scrape-the-plate good.

And the tender chocolate sponge is easier to make and roll up than you might think.

Simply prep them the night before and pop them in the oven just after dinner is served.

Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Credit:Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

It’s a true showstopper.

It comes together in just two steps and emerges tender, creamy, and lightly spiced.

Southern Living Chocolate Pecan Pie sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Mahogany Cake sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Chocolate Mousse Cake sliced on a plate to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Mexican Hot Chocolate Trifle

Credit:HECTOR SANCHEZ; STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS

Southern Living Baby Bourbon-Chocolate Bombes on a platter ready to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Southern Living Red Velvet Bundt Cake sliced on a cake plate ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Flourless Chocolate Cake sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Buche De Noel

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Slice of Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Browned Buttercream Frosting

Credit:Antonis Achilleos

Little Layer Chocolate Cake

Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Classic Chocolate Pound Cake

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake - Southern Living

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

Molten Red Velvet Cakes

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream

Credit:Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Chocolate-Cinnamon Latte Cake

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Credit:Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro