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{{short description|Various desserts that feature chocolate}}
{{about|the dessert}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
[[File:Chocolate_Fondant.jpg|thumb|[[Molten chocolate cake|Lava cake]] has been described as a Death by Chocolate dish.]]

'''Death by Chocolate''' is a colloquial descriptive or marketing term for various cakes and desserts that feature chocolate,<ref name="Food Network 2013"/> especially dark chocolate or [[Cocoa solids|cocoa]] as the primary ingredient. The phrase is [[trademark]]ed in some countries, and the dessert is a signature dish of [[Bennigan's]] restaurants in the United States.

==Cakes==
Some [[chocolate cake]]s and [[Devil's food cake]]s are called or have the moniker "Death by Chocolate cake",<ref name="Stuff 2015"/><ref name="Goble 2015"/><ref name="Pocklington Post 2015"/><ref name="Group 2015"/> and some of these may be served with a [[chocolate sauce]], such as [[Molten chocolate cake|lava cake]].<ref name="Elliott 2015"/> Ingredients used in Death by Chocolate cakes may include basic chocolate cake mix ingredients, chocolate pudding, chocolate chips, shaved or grated chocolate, whipped cream and powdered sugar.<ref name="Group 2015"/>

==Trademarks==
===United States===
'''Death by Chocolate''' aka '''Mort au Chocolat''' originated in 1981 at Les Anges restaurant in Santa Monica, California. It was the result of a collaboration between the restaurant's Creator/Proprietor, Jeff Fields and its Pastry Chef, Claude Koeberle, himself the son of a Maitre Ouvrier de France. Composed of multiple chocolate layers - genoise, meringue, ganache, butter cream, and mousse - it was sauced with chocolate creme anglaise.

The original "Death by Chocolate" cake debuted at the Trellis restaurant in [[Williamsburg, Virginia]] in 1982. It was created by the chef and owner of the Trellis, [[Marcel Desaulniers]] in collaboration with pastry chef Donald Mack. Desaulniers said that he got the name from an article in [[Gourmet (magazine)]] where a cake was named "mourir de chocolat," French for dying of chocolate. The recipe for baking Desaulnier's version was estimated to take three days of cooking owing to the complexity of the cake and the need to create each layered ingredient.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=Tejal |date=2024-06-07 |title=His 'Death by Chocolate' Cake Will Live Forever |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/dining/death-by-chocolate-marcel-desaulniers.html |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The [[trademark]] for "Death by Chocolate" in the United States is owned by [[Bennigan's|Bennigan's IP LLC]] restaurants.<ref name="tmdb.eu" /> The initial trademark application was filed by Bennigans on 2 July 2008, and the trademark is due to expire on 9 April 2026.<ref name="tmdb.eu" /> Bennigan's also filed a U.S. trademark registration request for the Death by Chocolate Martini on 20 August 2002, which was registered on 5 August 2003.<ref name="trademarkia.com 2002" />

The version of Death by Chocolate offered at Bennigan's consists of many ingredients, including two types of ice cream combined with [[Twix]] candy bars, which is dipped in a chocolate sauce and served atop crumbed chocolate cookie crust.<ref name="Newsweek"/><ref name="The Food Channel 2008"/><ref name="Saveasite"/><ref name="Rowe 1996"/> The dish is accompanied with a [[side dish]] of a heated chocolate topping.<ref name="Saveasite"/><ref name="Rowe 1996"/>

Bennigan's also purveyed a [[Martini (cocktail)|Martini]] [[cocktail]] named the Death by Chocolate Martini,<ref name="admin 2015"/> which was a Martini prepared with the addition of [[chocolate liqueur]]s.<ref name="trademarkia.com 2002"/>

===Other regions===
In the United Kingdom and [[European Union]],<ref>[http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ohim?ohimnum=E5597761 Intellectual Property Office]. U.K. government. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221043902/http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ohim?ohimnum=E5597761 |date=21 February 2009 }}</ref> the registered trade mark rights belong to F.T. Wood & Sons Limited.<ref name="Country Style Foods"/><ref name="Deathbychocolate.com"/><ref name="IPO-UK"/>

==Events==
Various Death by Chocolate-themed and -named events have occurred, such as fundraisers and charity events that involve the consumption of chocolate-based desserts, dishes and beverages.<ref name="Tampa Bay Newspapers 2015"/><ref name="The INDsider 2015"/><ref name="Wartelle 2015"/> Dishes served at Death by Chocolate events have included savory dishes prepared with chocolate, chocolate candy, desserts, brownies, cookies, cakes, cocktails, Martinis and beer, and the events have included [[chocolatier]]s.<ref name="Tampa Bay Newspapers 2015"/><ref name="The INDsider 2015"/><ref name="Wartelle 2015"/><ref name="Twin Falls Times-News 2015"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Food}}
* [[Chocoholic]]
* [[List of desserts]]
* [[List of chocolate beverages]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="Stuff 2015">{{cite web | title=Success even sweeter after health scare | website=[[Stuff.co.nz]] | date=24 August 2015 | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/71385281/death-by-chocolate-helps-new-plymouth-baker-take-the-cake | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=13 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113080952/http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/71385281/death-by-chocolate-helps-new-plymouth-baker-take-the-cake | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Goble 2015">{{cite web | last=Goble | first=Steve | title=Brewologist – New Belgium offers beer for dessert | website=[[Mansfield News Journal]] | date=17 December 2015 | url=http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/life/food/2015/12/17/brewologist-new-belgium-offers-beer-dessert/77468020/ | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=13 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113080952/http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/life/food/2015/12/17/brewologist-new-belgium-offers-beer-dessert/77468020/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Food Network 2013">{{cite web | title=Death By Chocolate: Simply the Best Chocolate Brownie Layer | website=[[Food Network]] | date=2 November 2013 | url=http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/death-by-chocolate-simply-the-best-chocolate-brownie-layer-recipe.html | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=5 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305104155/http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/death-by-chocolate-simply-the-best-chocolate-brownie-layer-recipe.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Elliott 2015">{{cite web|last=Elliott |first=Belinda |title=Magnum Manila Cafe: A House of Pure Pleasure |website=Recorder Journal |date=17 December 2015 |url=http://recorderjournal.com/2015/12/17/magnum-manila-cafe-a-house-of-pure-pleasure/ |access-date=27 December 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105082448/http://recorderjournal.com/2015/12/17/magnum-manila-cafe-a-house-of-pure-pleasure/ |archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="Pocklington Post 2015">{{cite web | title=Baker's Claus in contract – some fun, festive food | website=Pocklington Post | date=11 December 2015 | url=http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/news/local/baker-s-claus-in-contract-some-fun-festive-food-1-7615220 | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=5 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105113744/http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/news/local/baker-s-claus-in-contract-some-fun-festive-food-1-7615220 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite web | title=Inside Bennigan's Bankruptcy Filing | website=[[Newsweek]] | date=30 July 2008 | url=http://www.newsweek.com/inside-bennigans-bankruptcy-filing-92513 | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=18 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218200633/http://www.newsweek.com/inside-bennigans-bankruptcy-filing-92513? | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Saveasite">{{cite web | url=http://www.savesite.com/companies/menu/b/BennigansDinnerMenu.html | title=Bennigan's Menu | publisher=Saveasite.com | access-date=26 December 2015 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040828/http://www.savesite.com/companies/menu/b/BennigansDinnerMenu.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="tmdb.eu">{{cite web | author=tmdb.eu | title=Trademark DEATH BY CHOCOLATE registered by Bennigan's IP, LLC at OHIM | website=Trademark search engine | url=https://tmdb.eu/trademark/006653191/eu/death-by-chocolate | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=5 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105044155/https://tmdb.eu/trademark/006653191/eu/death-by-chocolate | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="admin 2015">{{cite web | author=admin | title=Reports of Casual Dining's Death Are Greatly Exaggerated | website=Restaurant News | date=27 December 2015 | url=http://www.restaurantnews.com/reports-of-casual-dinings-death-are-greatly-exaggerated/ | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=13 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113080952/http://www.restaurantnews.com/reports-of-casual-dinings-death-are-greatly-exaggerated/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="trademarkia.com 2002">{{cite web | title=Death by Chocolate Martini | website=trademarkia.com | date=20 August 2002 | url=http://www.trademarkia.com/death-by-chocolate-martini-76441744.html | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=5 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105075300/http://www.trademarkia.com/death-by-chocolate-martini-76441744.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="The Food Channel 2008">{{cite web | title=Bennigan's Unveils Budget-Focused Meals | website=[[The Food Channel]] | date=8 April 2008 | url=http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/bennigans-unveils-budget-focused-meals/ | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=13 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113080954/http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/bennigans-unveils-budget-focused-meals/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Rowe 1996">{{cite web | title=Bennigan's Serves Good Variety | website=[[Lakeland Ledger]] | author=Rowe, Trent | date=25 May 1996 | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19960525&id=oMJOAAAAIBAJ&pg=3975,2915827 | access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Country Style Foods">{{cite web | title=Brands | website=Country Style Foods | url=http://www.countrystyle.co.uk/brands.htm | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=13 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113080953/http://www.countrystyle.co.uk/brands.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Deathbychocolate.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.deathbychocolate.com/ | title=Death by Chocolate | publisher=Deathbychocolate.com | access-date=26 December 2015 | archive-date=31 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231235935/http://www.deathbychocolate.com/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="IPO-UK">{{cite web|url=http://www.ipo.gov.uk/domestic?domesticnum=1463363 |title=Case details for Trade Mark 1463363 |access-date=15 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930215542/http://www.ipo.gov.uk/domestic?domesticnum=1463363 |archive-date=30 September 2011 }}</ref>
<ref name="Group 2015">{{cite web | author=Copps Food Center | title=Death by Chocolate Cake | website=WLUK (Fox News) | date=23 December 2015 | url=http://fox11online.com/living/living-with-amy/death-by-chocolate-cake-12-02-2015 | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=5 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105113504/http://fox11online.com/living/living-with-amy/death-by-chocolate-cake-12-02-2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Tampa Bay Newspapers 2015">{{cite web | title=Largo Cultural Center hosts Death by Chocolate fundraiser | website=Tampa Bay Newspapers | date=2 December 2015 | url=http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/largo_leader/content_articles/120215_lle-03.txt | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=27 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227122428/http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/largo_leader/content_articles/120215_lle-03.txt | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="The INDsider 2015">{{cite web | title=Death By Chocolate for charity | website=The INDsider | date=5 October 2015 | url=http://theind.com/article-permalink-21913.html | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=27 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227145541/http://theind.com/article-permalink-21913.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Wartelle 2015">{{cite web | last=Wartelle | first=Kris | title=The Acadiana Symphony's Death by Chocolate killed | website=The Advertiser | date=5 November 2015 | url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/life/2015/11/05/acadiana-symphonys-death-chocolate-killed/75166172/ | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=3 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403071347/https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/life/2015/11/05/acadiana-symphonys-death-chocolate-killed/75166172/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Twin Falls Times-News 2015">{{cite web | title=Tickets Still Available for Death By Chocolate | website=Twin Falls Times-News | date=23 January 2015 | url=http://magicvalley.com/entertainment/tickets-still-available-for-death-by-chocolate/article_6d3a6dbd-ed6c-54b7-b455-aefe238db004.html | access-date=27 December 2015 | archive-date=28 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128043438/http://magicvalley.com/entertainment/tickets-still-available-for-death-by-chocolate/article_6d3a6dbd-ed6c-54b7-b455-aefe238db004.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks}}
* [https://www.seededatthetable.com/death-by-chocolate-trifle/ Death by Chocolate Trifle (Seeded at the Table)]

{{Chocolate desserts}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Death by chocolate}}
[[Category:Chocolate cakes]]
[[Category:Chocolate desserts]]
[[Category:Trademarks]]

Death by Chocolate - Revision history

imported>Citation bot: Altered title. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Chocolate cakes | #UCB_Category 13/17