Devil’s food cake, chocolate mousse, and marshmallow make up the delectable Slice of Prime dessert at Primehouse

 
  Black and white cupcakes are signature treats at Sarah’s Pastries & Candies

Chocolate Bar at The Peninsula Chicago
Friday and Saturday evenings in The Lobby lounge, the Chocolate Bar offers guests a buffet even Willy Wonka would envy. You can eat as many chocolate tarts, truffles, and brownies as you like for $40, but we say go for the $50 deal, which includes a handcrafted chocolate martini. 108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6695; peninsula.com

Chocolate Closet at Foodease
Mostly local and hard-to-find brands are on display at Water Tower Place’s newest tenant, including Truffle Truffle’s I Love Chicago truffles, Beer & Pretzel caramels, Sweet Margy’s handmade toffees and TCHO chocolates. Chocolate Closet also hosts free tastings three to four times a week. 835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-335-3663; foodeasechicago.com

David Burke’s Primehouse
Jove Hubbard, the famed steakhouse’s pastry chef, has outdone himself with his latest menu. Cake lovers will go crazy over Slice of Prime, a dessert composed of devil’s food cake, chocolate mousse, and marshmallows, and served with s’mores ice cream. 616 N. Rush St., 312-660-6000; davidburkesprimehouse.com

Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
Mindy Segal’s desserts have caught the eye of the James Beard committee four years in a row, and her signature milkshakes and beverages are what the crowds crave. Six different hot chocolate flavors are available, including eggnog, a blend of white chocolate laced with a hint of nutmeg. 1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-1747; hotchocolatechicago.com

Magnolia Bakery
The famed New York sweets shop opened its eighth store in Block 37. Besides the cupcakes, we’re particularly fond of the chocolatechunk cookies, double-fudge brownies, and chocolate pudding pie with a graham-cracker crust. 108 N. State St., 312-346-7777; magnoliabakery.com

Sarah’s Pastries & Candies
Pastry maven Sarah Levy concocts plenty of chocolate options, including signature black and white cupcakes and more than 15 house-made candies. Upcoming specials include almond cupcakes with cocoa fudge frosting (January) and red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (February). 70 E. Oak St., 312-664-6223; sarahscandies.com

Sixteen
Executive pastry chef Sarah Kosikowski specializes in desserts such as Gianduja chocolate crémeux with Nutella powder, peanut butter feuilletine crunch, and cocoa nib ice cream. For Valentine’s Day, she’ll offer the Coeur de Guanaja chocolate crémeux, complete with spiced vanilla-cream filling, passion fruit gelee, and chocolate “lace” tuile. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave., 312-588-8000

Sweet Mandy B’s
This long-time Lincoln Park favorite cranks out classics like dirt cups (crushed chocolate chip cookies in pudding), whoopie pies and double doozies—two chocolate chip cookies with a dollop of filling in the middle. 1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174; sweetmandybs.com

Terry’s Toffee
Every Academy Award presenter takes home a package of its crunchy confections, yet Terry’s stays humble, with a small storefront on Grand Avenue. Toffee flavors are outrageous and exotic (think Australian ginger and lavender), and, of course, all are covered in chocolate. 1117 W. Grand Ave., 312-733-2700

Vosges Haut-Chocolat
No one whips up globally inspired goodies like Katrina Markoff. We love the bacon truffle collection, but we’re blown away by the confections featuring curry, wasabi, and chili. Markoff has also included gluten-free, organic, sugar-free, and vegan options in the mix. 951 W. Armitage Ave., 773-296-9866; vosgeschocolate.com