Chocolate Bliss: Metro Detroit’s Most Decadent Desserts

By: Carolyn Hall | January 29, 2025
chocolate hazelnut macaron from Cannelle

Photo courtesy of Cannelle By Matt Knio

For those with a sweet tooth, Metro Detroit offers a rich selection of chocolate desserts that are as diverse as they are delicious. From handcrafted confections to indulgent cakes, these local businesses have perfected the art of chocolate. Whether you’re after a delicate pastry, creamy gelato, or a bold and creative treat, these standout establishments are sure to satisfy your cravings…

CHOCO MANIA CAFE

44621 Mound Road, Sterling Heights

280 East Merrill Street, Birmingham

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Choco Mania Cafe takes chocolate indulgence to another level with a menu full of creative treats. Their crepes, paired with Nutella, fresh berries, cookies, and drizzles are a standout, while their Choco Mania Cake combines cake, ganache, mousse, and chocolatey bits for an immersive experience. Rolled ice cream, Dubai chocolate creations, specialty sundaes, fondue, and covered fruit are all available at this cafe. No matter what you choose, Choco Mania Cafe offers a playful yet delicious experience.

CANNELLE BY MATT KNIO

Multiple locations in Metro Detroit

Cannelle is a spot that dessert lovers cannot miss. “At Cannelle, chocolate is more than just an ingredient—it’s a passion rooted in Chef Matt Knio’s journey,” shares the Cannelle Team. Chef Knio’s time on a cocoa plantation in the Ivory Coast inspired his dedication to understanding chocolate from bean to bar, which he combines with his French pastry expertise. The Chocolate Croquant and Chocolate Raspberry cakes are great examples of this, as are the delightful pastries, ranging from eclairs to ganache-covered macarons. “Whether it’s a cake tailored for a special celebration or a decadent treat to indulge in, we are proud to bring the elegance of fine French chocolate and pastries to Detroit—a city whose diversity and culture continue to inspire us every day.”

chocolate dessert tray from cannelle
Photo courtesy of Cannelle by Matt Knio

MINDO CHOCOLATE MAKERS

206 North 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor

Mindo Chocolate Makers is where passion for treats meets sustainable craftsmanship. Sourcing cacao directly from family cultivation in Ecuador, they produce bean-to-bar chocolate that highlights the pure, complex flavors of the cacao bean. Pure, ethically sourced ingredients like organic cane sugar and Michigan cherries meet craftsmanship built on small batches for their delightful bars. Chocolate flavor profiles include white with. raspberry, dark with candied orange zest, and milk with apricot and cardamom, to name a few. Try their signature drinking version as well for a luxurious treat that captures the essence of their artisanal approach within a cup of hot cocoa.

MODERN CONE

28616 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores

Modern Cone is a delightful St. Clair Shores staple. “We’re a family-owned business known for our ice cream nachos, stackers, and affogato sundaes!” shares the Modern Cone Team. Their love for ice cream and coffee shines through in their creations, including indulgent chocolate offerings like the brownie-loaded Death By Chocolate stacker (with chocolate ice cream, Oreos, chocolate chips, and hot fudge), a Chocolate Chip Lava Cookie Sundae, or a warm Brownie Boat with your choice of ice cream and sauce. On the coffee side, an Affagato Sundae (with espresso and ice cream) is also a great choice to get your fill while energized from the espresso. Whether you’re after a quick treat or a shareable dessert for the whole family, Modern Cone delivers flavor and fun.

modern cone chocolate stacker
Photo courtesy of Modern Cone

BON BON BON

Multiple locations in Metro Detroit

Bon Bon Bon is a Metro Detroit institution, offering handcrafted bonbons that are as artistic as they are delicious. These Michigan-made “good goodies” range from classics like Bumpy, paying homage to the iconic Sanders cake and Better Butter Crunch with “Detroit’s favorite potato chips,” milk chocolate, and sea salt, to more unique flavor profiles like High Tea (Earl Grey tea and Devonshire cream dark choc. ganache), Strawberry & Balsamic, and Lil Hottie (chile-infused honey and Vietnamese cinnamon dark choc. caramel). Their seasonal creations and gift sets also make Bon Bon Bon a must-visit for cocoa lovers looking for something unique and exciting.

FOR THE LOVE OF SUGAR

100 Erskine Street, Detroit 

For the Love of Sugar has quite a selection of chocolatey desserts. “Chocolate has always been my kryptonite. When I watched the Matilda movie and saw Bruce being forced to eat that ginormous cake, all I could think was, ‘Wow, I want some.’ So when I decided to open the bakery, a recreation of that decadent chocolate cake was my first endeavor. That’s how our Matilda cake was created. It has become our absolute most popular item and still my favorite creation to this day,” shares owner Manal Hussein. Other delectable treats include cosmic fudge brownies and double chip cookies, all made with love and attention to detail. 

chocolate matilda cake from for the love of sugar
Photo courtesy of For the Love of Sugar

LA GELATI

Multiple locations in Metro Detroit

La Gelati is a dessert lover’s dream, offering an array of gelato flavors, sundaes, and chocolate-infused treats. Their chocolate gelato stands out for its creamy texture and intense cocoa flavor, while chocolate-covered waffles and crepes add creative twists to their menu, topped with soft serve and fruit. The sundaes are equally as impressive, like the Sweet Tooth Sundae, layered with vanilla ice cream, Ferrero chocolate, Nutella ice cream, brownie pieces, and Nutella drizzle to top. La Gelati’s fresh ingredients and creativity make it a go-to destination for satisfying your cravings in unique ways.

This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on December 26, 2023.

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