Indulgence by Paul Richardson is my latest read. I have submerged myself in his chocolate travels around the world, carefully researching details from the stinking heat of the Mexican rainforest to a cup of intensely flavoured cocoa.

There’s no time not to love this bean, but right now the shelves are packed with delightful whimsical heart-shaped chocolates and the first of the brightly foiled Easter eggs. (And our home has already seen a few trays of white candy-coated ones.)

I have quite a thing for figures shaped from chocolate. Rococo in London packs tins with slim chocolate sardines – foiled in baby blue and silver – so when Lindt introduced reindeers, bunnies, Father Christmas, snowmen and now teddy bears I was quite taken with them. And it always takes quite a bit of self-control to walk on by and not pop one into the trolley – especially the cute miniature packs.

The first time I got hold of a Lindt bunny was a few years ago just before Easter. It was packed away, but unfortunately one night I couldn’t sleep – it was probably a deadline thing – and I couldn’t resist. I awoke with just the bell in my hand and a chocolate-covered face. Now I eat them wide awake!

Though when it comes to chocolate desserts in restaurants, I would rather opt for a lighter fruity one; I prefer to eat chocolate in a bar or in a cone. So I asked the Eat Out team where they’ve eaten their all-time favourite chocolate pudding.

Anelde, our content director for both Eat Out and Eat In, dreams about the chocolate fondant at 95 Keerom in Cape Town. “It’s small, but the moment your spoon touches it, the chocolate oozes out.”

For editorial assistant Kelly it was definitely the chocolate fondant at Bizerca Bistro and copy editor Linda still reminisces about a family recipe for chocolate pudding eaten at The Greyton Lodge some years ago.

Katharine, our online editor, once had the chocolate three ways at The Roundhouse in Camps Bay, which had so many wondrously different textures and temperatures. “The chocolate fondant at Woodlands Eatery in Vredehoek is yummy too.”

Account manager Claire told me about the chocolate spring rolls at Jakes in the Village in Steenberg: heavenly little crispy shells stuffed with melted chocolate (she thinks it’s Bar One).

I confess I did have a chocolate dessert craving a few weeks ago – and it was so worth it – at The Foodbarn Restaurant and Deli on a Friday, tapas night. The most glorious churros this side of Spain were dipped into bowls of thick melted cocoa mass. So when it comes down to it, don’t get me wrong, I adore chocolate.

Happy eating!
Abigail

PS. If you just licked your screen, click here for the recipe for the scrummy chocolate marmalade tart in the picture.