The Best Store-Bought Dark Chocolate, According to Food Network Staffers

Lead Recipe Developer, Amanda Neal's dark chocolate preference is Ghirardelli 72% dark chocolate chips for when she's baking. "It's the perfect balance of bitter and sweet," she said. "Plus, the chips are on the larger side compared to other brands, so you get lovely pockets of melty chocolate in your baked goods."

Managing Editor Caroline Alkire agrees with this top chocolate pick. "These chocolate chips are a little bigger than the standard size so they’re great in muffins or baked goods." She confessed, "I usually just grab a handful and eat them plain when I want something sweet, but in the winter, they’re super-tasty in hot chocolate. Drop a tablespoon of these into a steaming cup of premade cocoa, then whisk it all together. It’s the easiest way to get a richer, extra-chocolatey taste in seconds."

Another worthy chocolate for baking and a preferred choice for pastry departments in restaurants is the brand Valrhona. "It is pricey. But I love the complexity of the flavors, chocolate-y, and citrus notes of the 70% chocolate," Recipe Developer Andy Liang said. "They come in bars (more recently) and they traditionally sold it in “feves” pieces, which melts very quickly." If you want something milder than the 70% bar, Valrhona sells a 64% chocolate that has a smoother and milder taste, but equally delicious.

Speaking of feves, also known as discs, Editorial Manager, Kristie Collado also looks to Valrhona when baking. "I used to work as a pastry cook in a renowned NYC restaurant, so I developed a taste for Valrhona," she said. "These 70% cacao discs are my go-to for baking (they have a nice subtle, roasted flavor that I really enjoy alongside anything with butter or nuts), but they’re also available in 55% cacao if you prefer something with a touch of vanilla to it." She also suggested to "chop or melt these chocolates for a variety of recipes, but don’t be afraid to leave them whole when you’re making extra-large chocolate chip cookies — they'll give you dreamy puddles of melty chocolate all throughout your cookies."

Some dark chocolates are great for baking and snacking straight from the bag. In her opinion, Editor Heath Goldman claims, "Guittard makes some of the highest quality chocolate around — and these chips are no exception. They’re the essence of what you want dark chocolate to be: intensely chocolatey, yet still silky. Many dark chocolates actually contain some derivative of milk, yet not these extra-pure chips, meaning they also are allergen-friendly — perfect for everyone with a lactose sensitivity."

Not only does this editor bake chocolate chip cookies with this dark chocolate but she also recommends adding it to granola or top a yogurt bowl or ice cream with it. "While they're not exactly dark chocolate, but an ingredient in it, I'd like to give a shoutout to cacao nibs. Cacao nibs are the actual cacao beans, crushed into pieces. Those pieces get incorporated into dark chocolate along with sugar and fats," says Editorial Director, Kelly Smith Trimble. "Cacao nibs add an earthy, bitter flavor and nutty texture that balances sweetness, and a little goes a long way," plus they last a long time in your pantry which is an added bonus.

When shopping for a healthier version of chocolate, Toby Amidor, Food Network Healthy Eats Contributor looks to the ingredients and the cacao percentage. "This Hu Simple Dark Chocolate Bar made with 70% cacao is made with Organic Fairtrade cacao, organic Fairtrade unrefined coconut sugar and organic Fairtrade cocoa butter, she said. "When buying dark chocolate, look for at least 60% cacao which provide more flavonoids and theobromine, both phytonutrients provide antioxidant activities which may help benefit heart and brain health." Toby also divulges, "However with half a bar, which is 1.1 ounces provides 190 calories, 14g fat with 8g saturated fat, the recommended daily amount for dark chocolate is one ounce in order to keep calories and artery-clogging saturated fat at bay."

The chocolate that always makes it into this editor's grocery order is once again Hu Kitchen's, but their Salty Dark Chocolate Bar version! "I’ve always loved dark chocolate as a sweet snack," said Commerce Editor Laura James. "Made with organic 70% cacao, the taste is rich but not too sweet, thanks to the touch of sea salt. Still having doubts? Laura said she likes "that the little squares are easy to break off without making a mess."

Even in this family's household, Hu Chocolate Bars are hard to resist. "My husband is NOT a sweets person, but one thing he loves is chocolate," claims Ellie Sanders, Editor, Newsletters. "In an attempt to find the healthiest chocolate on the market, he brought HU home and we’ve been hooked ever since." The 70% cacao makes for a strong dark chocolate flavor, "but the coconut sugar and sea salt create the perfect flavor profile. (My mouth is watering as I’m writing this!)" she said. And on top of the impeccable taste, Hu prioritizes organic and fair-trade products, which is just an added bonus.

Hu's might have a special place in our heart because it makes the list again with its dark chocolate gems. "I can have a few of these for a little sweet treat after dinner and feel satiated," states Video Producer Kathryn Crimani. "I also have used these to melt down and make my own homemade Dubai chocolate bars at home and I love how rich the chocolate flavor is.

Her love of Hu’s Salty Dark Chocolate bar had her discover the other delicious products the brand had to offer. "Our favorite not-chocolate-bar treat? These incredible chocolate-covered cashew hunks," said Ellie. "They’re made of 70% cocoa chocolate, cashews, vanilla bean and sea salt, and all I’ll say is good luck NOT eating the entire bag. And as with all Hu buys, they prioritize organic and fair-trade products so you can feel even better about indulging."

I have to admit, I used to not be the biggest dark chocolate fan. It was always way too bitter for me. But ChocoVivo convinced me that with an assortment of toppings and add ons, dark chocolate quickly became my favorite. The richness of this bar with flavors of mocha and crunchy coffee bits, gives you the best combination of chocolate and coffee. They have other flavors like Almond and Sea Salt, Matcha Green Tea and even Mushroom! If you are a true dark chocolate fan, they have the traditional bars ranging from different percentages and even ones that are suitable for baking.

"Spring & Mulberry sweetens its dark chocolate with dates, which is great for those trying to cut back on refined sugar," Online Editorial Coordinator Sabrina Choudhary said. "Almost all of its flavors are vegan, too. Pecan Date is my favorite of the flavors I've tried, but there are lots of interesting options to choose from — Mulberry Fennel, Mango Chili, and Bergamot, to name a few. And what we love the most about this bar? They come in stunning, beautiful designed packages, perfect for gifting.

Some chocolates become favorites because it hits close to home. "I’m a fan of Lake Champlain chocolates from Vermont in general — we used to visit every summer when my kids were little and do the factory tour and enjoy the samples at the end," Recipe Developer Amy Stevenson said. "They have great dark chocolate snacking squares for when you just want a few bites of chocolate and a nice variety of dark chocolate full size bars as well — plain as well as some yummy flavored ones — I like the toffee and almond dark chocolate bar."

While some prefer bars of chocolate, others look to truffles for their dark chocolate fixing. “I’m somebody who likes their chocolate very, very dark. The Lindt 70% Extra Dark Truffles are one of the darkest chocolates I’ve tried, and I love how you’re still able to get a hint of sweetness at just the right amount, said Editorial Assistant Amelia Chang. "The outside shell is hard, but when you bite into the truffle, there’s a smooth cream inside that’s so addicting. I could easily snack on a few of these and not feel like I have that sugary feel in my mouth afterwards," she adds.