chocolate

The change of seasons may bring to mind shorter hemlines and a rededication to the gym, but it also means that the opportunity to indulge in a favorite balmy-weather treat — s'mores — is just around the corner. Sadly, it's not quite prime bonfire and grilling weather yet, even in Northern California, so I've come up with a fix to tide us over till then: a s'mores-inspired snack (OK, dessert) mix.

Now, I'd like to take credit for this rather clever idea, but that would be disingenuous; inspiration first struck after tasting a sample of Mama Mellace S'mores Snack Mix at the Fancy Food Show. Tasty, but a hair too sweet, and lacking the salty-sweet punch I so crave, this snack mix was on the right track but not quite as delightful as it could be. So, like any good test cook, I set out to re-create it the way my taste buds intended.

Keep reading for the dangerous — I warned you! — recipe.

We've got a new partnership with the recipe, equipment, and product testing gurus at America's Test Kitchen. They'll be sharing some of their time-tested recipes and technical expertise with us weekly. Today, a classic dessert recipe, chocolate mousse, gets a makeover.

April 3 may be National Chocolate Mousse Day, but our recipe makeover for this rich, chocolaty, elegant dessert is tasty enough to make any day.

What's the secret to cutting fat and calories without compromising taste and texture? An Italian meringue, which is made by whipping egg whites with a sugar syrup. It gives our chocolate mousse a creamy lushness without adding any fat.

Test Kitchen Tip: To make an Italian meringue, pour hot sugar syrup into the whipped egg whites, but avoid touching either the beater or the sides of the bowl. If the syrup hits the beater or bowl, it will stick to them rather than be incorporated into the eggs.

See the recipe when you keep reading.

This salty-sweet, Passover-friendly treat is colloquially referred to as chocolate matzo crack, and for good reason. In the process of making this batch, my roommates and I kept coming back for bite after indulgent, snappy bite, despite our best intentions toward moderation. Delighted as they were to share in this addictive toffee, by round four of "just one more bite," they were cursing my name. So proceed with the recipe at your own risk: you've been warned.

Dangerously buttery, salty, sweet, and crisp, this candy requires no candy thermometer or other special equipment, unlike the majority of toffee- and brittle-like creations. Yet somehow it magically mimics the best toffee, thanks to the light texture and snap the matzo imparts. So if you're feeling daring, and particularly if you have a crowd to share it with, whip up a batch.

Keep reading for the utterly addictive, simple-to-prepare dessert.

Even if it has been two decades since you've made or eaten chocolate chip pancakes, there's no reason you can't resurrect the breakfast of your childhood dreams. In fact, I encourage you to go all out and top the stack with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

The base is a golden-hued buttermilk pancake with plenty of melted butter to make the batter moist and rich.

Right before the batter hits the griddle, fold in chocolate chips.

Once the cakes come off the grill, don't be shy with the toppings. I used the MarieBelle chocolates from my Must Have box.

The whipped cream and melted chocolate chips make these pancakes so sweet and moist, I don't think they need any other adornments (like maple syrup), but I'll let you be the judge! Are you ready to be a kid again? See the recipe.