On the summer solstice I was stomping over Bodmin Moor with a bunch of friends intent on watching the sun sink behind a tor. Luckily we had a picnic to sustain us. We had plenty of delicious fare to eat and drink but these summer solstice chocolate recipes for June’s We Should Cocoa would have been a welcome addition. What were you doing?
It’s been a while since we’ve had a prolonged hot and dry summer like this in the UK. Chocolate doesn’t operate at its best in this sort of heat and baking in already hot kitchens is not something most of us want to do. But you just can’t keep a good baker down it seems.
Summer Solstice Chocolate Recipes
Raspberry and white chocolate is a wonderful combination and always makes me think of summer. These raspberry & white chocolate ganache tarts from Only Crumbs Remain not only look beautiful and summery, but as Angela says “with a reduced fat ganache filling they’re kinder to the waistline” than you might expect. Do take a look at the video when you head over for the recipe, it’s fun.
Raspberry & White Chocolate Ganache Tarts
Raspberry and white chocolate is a wonderful combination and always makes me think of summer. These raspberry & white chocolate ganache tarts from Only Crumbs Remain not only look beautiful and summery, but as Angela says “with a reduced fat ganache filling they’re kinder to the waistline” than you might expect. Do take a look at the video when you head over for the recipe, it’s fun.
Cherry Pecan Brownies
Kate, over at The Gluten Free Alchemist has been trying to make the most of seasonal cherries. Shockingly I managed to miss the cherry season this year and didn’t have a single one. I’m feeling quite deprived. I shall just have to gaze at these perfectly gooey chocolate-cherry pecan brownies and hope that works – gluten-free of course.
Prodigious Chocolate Pavlova
No festive occasion is complete without some sort of meringue. This prodigious pav from Jenny at Apply to Face Blog is a fuss free regular at her dining room table.
Beetroot Chocolate Cupcakes
Bright pink beetroot & chocolate cupcakes from Only Crumbs Remain were a great start to the month. Angela tells us they are equally good, with or without the topping and of course they go towards our ten a day.
S’mores Slice
Johanna over at Green Gourmet Giraffe went all out to celebrate American Independence Day with this S’mores slice. She made the graham crackers for the base and vegan marshmallows for the melty but crispy top. With a wedge of chocolate thrown in the middle, these sound heavenly indeed.
Raspberry & White Chocolate Ice Cream
Salad and ice cream are pretty much all I’ve been wanting to eat this summer, so this raspberry and white chocolate ice cream from Searching for Spice has my name written all over it. expect I’m not the only one. Raspberries and white chocolate are a fabulous combination and who can resist ice-cream when it’s so hot and sticky out there?
Fresh Mint Chocolate Cake
Chocolate and mint are one of my favourite combinations, so I got just a little bit excited when I saw this fresh mint chocolate cake from Farmersgirl Kitchen. I’d love one for my birthday please, Janice.
Chocolate Brioche Pudding With Raspberries
If you like bread and butter pudding, you’re going to love this super deluxe versions from Jo’s Kitchen Larder. Chocolate brioche pudding with raspberries – mmmmm!
Strawberry Almond Choc Chip Muffins
You can’t have a summer solstice post without strawberries. They are the king of fruit in June. Foodie Quine comes to the rescue with these picnic ready, right royal Scottish strawberry, almond and chocolate chip muffins.
Cocoa & Tayberry Brownies
Brownies were certainly popular last month, here comes another one. Cocoa and tayberry brownies from A2K – A Seasonal Veg Table. Shaheen assures us she’s not that fond of chocolate, but these were the 4th batch of brownies she made in June.
White Chocolate Raspberry Jam Loaf
Why does no one know that jam ganache is a thing? And a very delicious thing it is too. Dom from Belleau Kitchen tried some out to top his beautifully marbled mini white chocolate and raspberry jam loaf.
Strawberry Mascarpone Chocolate Cake
Turns out there were actually 11 summer solstice recipes. I must apologise to Chris at Cooking Around the World for having to do the round-up a little early. Luckily, I didn’t miss it all together as this strawberry mascarpone chocolate cake is amazing: cake, strawberry jam, cream, strawberry frosting, fresh strawberries and chocolate – just wow!
White Forest Cake
Move over black forest gateau and make way for this white forest cake from The Baking Explorer. Doesn’t it look glorious? I adore cherries and they just sing summer.
Chocolate And Blueberry Recipes
Well it seems I was a bit optimistic about blueberries being ready in our gardens this month, though I have seen British blueberries on sale in the shops. We don’t have blueberries down on the plot, but my mother’s crop still has a way to go before it’s ripe.
Blueberry Marmalade Brownies
Dom over at Belleau Kitchen is getting good at bribing the office with cake. He’d certainly have me in his pocket offering up such goodies as these blueberry and marmalade eat-from-the-fridge brownies. What a fabulous combination and they are apparently “the best brownies ever”.
Blueberry And White Chocolate Flapjacks
I had blueberry plans, but realised I wasn’t going to achieve them in time for We Should Cocoa, so I ended up posting a recipe for blueberry and white chocolate flapjacks that I made two years ago. Surely I can’t be the only one who has draft recipes going back years?
Blueberry And Chocolate Banana Bread
Christening her new oven in her new home, Elizabeth over at The Law Student’s Cookbook made this blueberry and chocolate banana bread, which was reckoned to be the best banana bread ever.
Chocolate Almond Blueberry Cake
I was really pleased to see this late entry from Lucy aka Baking Queen who made a proper chocolate cake and filled it with blueberries. Her children were delighted and given that she used coconut oil instead of butter, this chocolate, almond and blueberry cake has got to be good.
Blueberry Blondies
With a hint of refreshing citrus and an engaging crunchy caramelised crust, these delicious blueberry blondies are a real crowd pleaser.
Other Blueberry Recipes You Might Like
If you need any further blueberry inspiration, here are a few more ideas.
- Blueberry & rose almond bars
- Blueberry & rose white chocolate cake
- Blueberry chocolate muffins
- Blueberry kefir smoothie
- Blueberry spelt rye cookies
- Wild blueberry cupcakes
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
Wow so many drool worthy options this month! Loving the look of those vegan brownies from Green Gourmet Giraffe.
Choclette says
Yes, I’m always completely spoilt for choice 😀
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
I didn’t manage to make last month’s linky….. I can’t believe I went a whole month without making anything chocolatey! very unnerving! xx
Choclette says
Oh and your contribution was very much missed Kate. I’d hate to think you’d gone on chocolate strike.
Galina V says
Fab round-up! So many inspiring recipes, and such a variety of great ideas.
Choclette says
Indeed, I always look forward to seeing the #WeShouldCocoa entries. Thanks for taking part.
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
Beautiful collection of goodies and love your Summer Solstice theme. Fresh mint chocolate cake especially caught my eye, will be taking a look!
Choclette says
Yes, that mint chocolate cake sound fabulous and a great summer bake I reckon.
Chris says
Terrific round-up. There are so many delicious goodies. Luckily or not, I am far away from my kitchen and there is no chance to try anything, but … I guess I want brownies soon.
Choclette says
Haha yes, inspiration and temptation aplenty to be found here 🙂
Shaheen says
Taking a baking chocolate break, but I may give in come mid July. but right now KitchenMaid’s Black garlic chocolate mousse with black garlic toffee has me very interested.
Choclette says
Oh well I hope your chocolate mojo appears before the end of July Shaheen. I always look forward to your entries. As for Lucy’s black garlic, it sounds very intriguing.
johanna @ green gourmet giraffe says
We need lots of chocolate to get us through a chilly winter solstice – and these recipes will do very nicely thanks – brownies and puddings are what I need. And BTW according to a What Hot or Not column in our local newspaper, everything unicorn is out but I think everything unicorn is just rainbow colours and sparkles which never go out of style (well not with young kids anyway)
Choclette says
Hahaha, thanks for letting me know that Unicorn is out – just as I’ve discovered it too 😉 I’ve just been spending time with my young cousins from Melbourne and I think they would very much like anything unicorn.