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Death by Chocolate: Dessert Heaven with 30 of Our Best Chocolate Recipes
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Death by Chocolate


- SERVES
- 24
- PREP
- 5 Min
- CHILL TIME
- 2 Hr
- COOK TIME
- 30 Min
This was Mr. Food's favorite dessert! Art lived a full, sweet life, and this dessert is representative of just that. There's a reason why Death by Chocolate is the most requested recipe on our site, and Art wouldn't have it any other way. For even more decadently-chocolaty recipes that we love here in the Mr. Food Test Kitchen, try our Candy Bar Brownie Trifle, Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Cake, or check our Our 12 Best Chocolate Cake Recipes!
What You'll Need
- 1 (19- to 21-ounce) package brownie mix, batter prepared according to package directions
- 1/4 cup coffee-flavored liqueur (see Options)
- 2 (3.9-ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding, prepared according to package directions
- 8 (1.4-ounce) chocolate-covered toffee candy bars (such as Skor or Heath), coarsely crushed
- 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
What to Do
- Preheat oven and bake brownie batter in a 9- x 13-inch baking pan according to package directions; allow to cool completely.
- Use a fork to prick holes in top of cooled brownies; drizzle with coffee liqueur.
- Break up brownies into small pieces. Coarsely crush candy bars in a food processor or by gently tapping the wrapped bars with a hammer. Place half the brownies in bottom of a trifle dish or large glass serving bowl. Cover with half the pudding then one-third of the crushed candy and half the whipped topping. Repeat layers and top with the remaining crushed candy.
- Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Notes
- Instead of coffee liqueur, you can use a mixture of 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 cup leftover black coffee, or leave out the coffee flavoring entirely. That extra flavor gives it a real wow factor, but it'll still taste just as delicious without it!
- This was one of Art's ("Mr. Food") favorite dessert recipes to share with all of you. Please feel free to share your memories of Mr. Food and any recipes of his that you love to make on our Memorial Page.
- Are you a chocolate fan? Did you love our Death by Chocolate cake recipe? Then we think you're going to love the chocolate dessert recipes featured in our free eCookbook, Death by Chocolate: Dessert Heaven with 30 of Our Best Chocolate Recipes. Or you can check out more of our favorite cakes in our free eCookbook, Classic Cakes: 24 Easy Cake Recipes to Enjoy Year-Round.
- Get our best chocolate recipes all year long by following us on Pinterest! Check out our board of Dreamy Chocolate Dessert Recipes here and don't forget to repin our Death by Chocolate!
Nutritional InformationShow More
Servings Per Recipe: 24
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Calories 309
- Calories from Fat 140
- Total Fat 16g 24 %
- Saturated Fat 6.4g 32 %
- Trans Fat 0.0g 0 %
- Protein 3.3g 7 %
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Cholesterol 41mg 14 %
- Sodium 260mg 11 %
- Total Carbohydrates 39g 13 %
- Dietary Fiber 0.2g 1 %
- Sugars 31g 0 %
rac7431 2877525
May 18, 2019
But one thing I add when making cho. pudding or cake mix is adding some cinnamon to taste.
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rac7431 2877525
May 18, 2019
I have a chocolate pound cake I bought for another recipe. I think I will use that instead.
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diamongal 3136070
Mar 04, 2016
I have been making this recipe for years !!! It's an all time hit!
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Freida
Nov 25, 2015
I love making this! After making by the directions for a while, I experimented and now, most often instead of heath pieces, I use cherry pie filling and have a black forest torte taste. It is usually a BIG hit wherever it goes!
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oldmom
Jun 15, 2014
Wonderful, but you must LOVE chocolate! Make this every Memorial Day!
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kramer144
Nov 30, 2013
Does it cut into slices? Couldn't you do the layers in individual bowls?
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Test Kitchen Team
Dec 02, 2013
It doesn't cut into slices, you scoop it out into serving bowls or on plates. You could certainly do the layers in individual bowls if you'd like. Enjoy!
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sailorgal47 1472275
Nov 30, 2013
I've had this exact recipe for years that I got from Southern Living....glad to see that Art and they were on the same page. Regardless of who invented the recipe it is indeed 'Death by Chocolate'! Thanks again to the Mr. Food staff for sharing this wonderful recipe.
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specialoccasionsflorist 043805 2
Nov 08, 2013
I made this for years and forgot where I got the recipe!!! You can tweek the ingredients if you want, but it is soooooooo gooo like this dik why you would! Although someone commented that they used Butterfinger bars instead of toffee-Heath bars, but no, it's a classic! DEATH BY CHOCOLATE, WE MEET AGAIN!!!
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momrabrouk 4218338
Oct 06, 2013
I used brownies already available, with already made chocolate pudding and it was much faster and absolutely divine!
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cpavlich 9453594
Feb 28, 2013
The girls I work with make one simular to this one. We use the cheesecake instant pudding and we use Butterfingers for the candy bars. It is also very good. The combinations are endless really.
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LindaMelody
Jan 13, 2013
This is amazing. I swapped out the cool whip for homemade whipped cream. I highly recommend this!
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dmf01dmf 6314339
Dec 28, 2012
I made this for Xmas, using chocolate cake crumbled up instead of the brownies and no coffee, and it was fabulous! My guests took home the rest because I knew I would eat it all myself if they left it with me!
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Callies mom
Dec 02, 2012
I have had a Mr. Food cookbook with this recipe in it for year's. Always make it for my golf league exchange night. People now ask for it. Thanks you Mr Food. RIP
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Callies mom
Feb 08, 2015
I gave this recipe 5 stars. Don't know why it is listed as only 3. Callie's mom
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MyMoose2
Dec 01, 2012
Love the Death by Chocolate! Just disappointed that the local station has discontinued the Mr Food segment since Art's passing. He felt like a friend of the family for so long!
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pbiggerstaff 7691159
Dec 01, 2012
i miss ooh its so good.
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loraholey 0225410
Nov 29, 2012
mr.food will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.....may god bless u...you were a hell of a cook!
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ross8119 7091714
Nov 29, 2012
this stuff is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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dinkyboozer 1209785
Nov 28, 2012
My heart & prayers go out to you all. I will miss his , "ooh it's so good".
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cjmac
Nov 28, 2012
Always watched his program, now I have a computor, I can go here and find anything I may want to cook. Such a pleasure and Oh it's so Good!!!!!
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Crinklepants
Nov 28, 2012
My mother and I are great cooks. We love to cook good food and have friends and relatives enjoy. And dinners at church. We have fixed many of Mr. Foods recipes. We seemed to like the chocolate eclair dessert along with our friends. Mr. Food was a great lover of food and he had a great passion for creating special treats for his friends and TV family. We loved to see him come on TV and show his new dish. All food is good but Mr. Foods food recipes were always ooh its so good. In this statement he showed his love in showing off his new recipes to all of us. Rest in peace Mr. Food,and enjoy the heavenly treats in store for you from the one and only God.
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Member 6277892
Nov 27, 2012
i haven't tried this recipe yet but i know it will be good because Mr. Food loved it but i have tried alot of sugar free recipes only cause i'm a diabetic Thanks Mr.(Art)Food you will be greatly missed " OOH ITS SO GOOD"!
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myralittlefido 9783139
Nov 27, 2012
thasnks for putting this up i have been wanting this recipe
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jarvisfarrow 6753557
Nov 27, 2012
I love the Mr Food airings, tried to never miss a one. I have printed and used them and have also saved them on my recipe sight. I will greatly miss him, may God be with the family and the test groupe, you guys are doing a great job." Ohh it's so good"! Miss you Art.
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dearcat
Nov 27, 2012
I have been cooking for 65 years, but through Art "Mr. Food" Ginsburg, I have not only found "new' recipes but easier versions of old favorites. I too used mousse and thanks to someone on this site I now have the recipe for making mousse. I know my mother used to make her own mousse but the recipe burned in a house fire. The Mr. Food site is great especially for young cooks. Its' recipes are so concise and easy to follow. I know the site will go on but Art will be sadly missed.
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sueeparker 2048649
Nov 27, 2012
LOVE IT! Thank you..."ohh-it's so good"! Will miss you! ;(
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dkbhoward 3198027
Nov 27, 2012
I like and use this recipe site more than any other. Please keep it coming though we will all miss Art. Thanks.
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LindaMelody
Nov 27, 2012
I made this and it is amazing. I prefer cooked pudding and used real whipped cream instead of cool whip. I highly recommend it and I can understand why Mr Food enjoyed it so much! I encourage you all to make it!
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gepinc2 8376555
Nov 27, 2012
Who is Art refered to in the Death by Chocolate recipe?
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jan1p65 6549904
Nov 27, 2012
Mr. Food himself died last week. His name was Art Ginsburg.
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nanneee
Nov 27, 2012
jsm42 Walmart has the pkgs of mousse with the jello pkgs. $1.00 a box. All you add is 1 cp milk. :) :) I chop up Kit Kat Bars and serve on top of it. I usually make a double batchdouble trouble.
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dpalacios33 8448602
Jul 29, 2012
Gonna use this one for next family BBQ!
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LindaMelody
Nov 27, 2012
What did you think of it? I thought it was fabulous and everyone has requested I make it again!
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Singeli
Jul 28, 2012
This recipe originally called for packaged chocolate mousse rather than pudding. Then the mousse disappeared from grocery shelves. If you can find it, using mousse makes it much better!
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jsm42 2250298
Jul 28, 2012
I agree with you Singeli. Making it with chocolate mousse really tastes better. I cannot find the mousse anywhere either. I will have to try this version.
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SASSYANGIE
Jul 28, 2012
Mousse is so much better. Jello used to make it, but I haven't seen it on the shelves in a couple years. I have found Dr. Oetteker's brand and it is really good. I usually find it on the top shelf. Hope this helps. Good luck.
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smokybella
Nov 27, 2012
I have a great recipe for choc. mousse, from Betty Crocker's SuperMoist Cake Recipes booklet. Goes with Chocolate Fantasy Cake. 3/4 c heavy whipping creme 2 T granulated sugar 1/3 C prepared coffee or coffee liqueur (i used Kahlua) 6 0z. (small bag) semisweet choc. chips 2 tsp vanilla mix 1/4 c. of the wh. cream, the sugar and coffee in 2-qt saucepan. Cook over med. heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture simmers; remove from heat. Stir in choc. chips with wire whisk; stir until chips are melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour into large bowl; cool about 10 mins. or until room temp. Beat remaining 1/2 C whipping cream in chilled med. bowl on high speed just until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into choc. mixture. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes before using. Hope you like it - it's the real deal and it looks like this dessert warrants that!
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sheriaugustyniak 6149558
Nov 25, 2020
The mousse sounds great--does this recipe make enough to use in the Death by Chocolate recipe, or, should it be doubled?
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Callies mom
Jul 15, 2012
I have made this dessert for our ladies' golf league tournaments and it is always the hit of the night. LOVE this recipe.
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vogelstt 4531243
Jun 25, 2012
It is sooo good now,that's all my family wants me to make!
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bettymess 0179536
Feb 12, 2012
Sounds Wonderful! Will HAVE to try it!
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antjoe44 5517620
Feb 11, 2012
I make this and layer fresh raspberries and strawberries
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pamquilts2
Dec 09, 2011
This sounds heavenly! Baily's Irish Creme or Kaluha are also good choices for the coffee liqueur. Great for the holidays
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dpalacios33 8448602
Jul 29, 2012
Hazelnut liqueur could be used too I think
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SASSYANGIE
Dec 09, 2011
I have made this recipe (don't remember where I got it), but instead of the 2 pkgs. of instant chocolate pudding...I use 3 boxes of chocolate mousse. Rich & Fabulous!!
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wim40 2803815
Dec 09, 2011
We substitute Ameretto Liquer and it is incredible!
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mjz1933 2274180
Oct 08, 2011
Could one use a package of buter brickle bits instaed of the crushed candy bars? I think it would be easier and as I have used them in some cookies recipes it should work I feel. Would it be alright to use lite cool whip?
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jsm42 2250298
Jul 28, 2012
I don't see why you could not use the Butter Brickle Bits. Sure it is alright to use lite Cool Whip. After all, this is YOUR recipe. You can change and substitute anything you want/like.
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RecipeCollectorWI
Sep 13, 2011
I make this with chocolate cake mix instead of the browie mix, instant coffee (without sugar added) drizzled over the cake layer and chocolate fudge pudding instead of mousse. I am sure it is very similar - it is absolutely delicious and is my daughter's birthday treat request.
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marsaili 1186677
Sep 13, 2011
I got this recipe from Mr. Food back in 1989 or so---only back then he called it Chocolate Hell! Love it, it's always a family favorite!
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nickel1964 1151320
Apr 26, 2011
I absolutely love this dessert. I saw it on our local TV station with Mr. Food years ago and I'm still making it for all types of occasions.
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ahappygrandma 3475995
Jan 29, 2011
I would like to thank you for all of the delicious recipes that you give us to print and try out.If I have any questions about baking all I have to do is look up the amswers.Thank you again for being on Line. E Kennedy (ahappygrandma@hotmail.com)
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saralynn155 0422665
Dec 22, 2010
I made it on NYE 2001 and it was a hit with everyone!
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