Honestly, I never thought I’d consider myself a connoisseur of anything—not even chocolate. As I’ve steadily crept into my 30s, however, I do notice I have a slightly more discerning palate when it comes to my favorites, or to trying new twists on old favorites. Chocolate is definitely my drug of choice, and if I’m going to indulge, I chose one (or both!) of the following: Vosges Haut Chocolat Red Fire Bar, and Simply Enjoy Flourless Chocolate Cake Bites. When considering texture, and overall quality when it comes to dark chocolate, these two products stand out for their uniqueness and velvety taste.

The Red Fire Bar by Vosges is unlike anything I’ve ever tried before, and I’ve eaten a lot of chocolate. They couple 55% cacao with Mexican ancho y chipotle chillies and Ceylon cinnamon. Trust me—I was skeptical the first time I tried it, too, but it is extraordinary. It is a multi-sensory experience, and the flavor combination is to be savored. Its dark, silky appearance is tempting enough, let alone its rich aroma, and this is all before you even take a bite. The taste is very special… it’s smooth and complex. The flavors are layered, and are definitely meant to be relished slowly. Sure, the spices have a bit of a kick, but in a good way. Even though I’m not a sophisticated person, I feel fancy when I eat this chocolate. It lives up to its extravagant descriptors (haut and exotic) and to its slightly expensive price tag. It’s worth grabbing at least one bar of Vosges— you won’t be disappointed.

Since my husband has a gluten (wheat) allergy, we were ecstatic when we stumbled upon Simply Enjoy Flourless Chocolate Cake Bites in the freezer aisle of our local Giant grocery store. Simply Enjoy products are also found in the Stop & Shop chain of grocery stores. These little truffle-like pieces have a dense, cake-y structure, even though they use no flour, which is a God-send to anyone, most especially those with wheat allergies. What I find particularly impressive about these cake bites is the way they are layered with different textures, which again, makes for a multi-sensory chocolate eating experience. We often pair one (or more!) of these cake bites with a glass of chilled dessert wine, and it is pretty much perfection. Their luxurious taste, adorable size, and blanketed consistency make the Simply Enjoy Flourless Chocolate Cake Bites one of my absolute favorites, and an easy dessert for any entertaining.

Look for Simply Enjoy Flourless Chocolate Cake Bites in your grocer’s freezer section. The Red Fire Bar by Vosges can be purchased from Amazon.com