Shivesh Bhatia, the popular food blogger turned author, is back with something truly exciting for dessert lovers! His fifth book, Chocolate (published by HarperCollins), is all set to hit the shelves on November 15. This time, Shivesh dives deep into the world of chocolate, bringing over 100 creative recipes that showcase its incredible versatility. From classic favorites to bold experiments, this book is a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
The story of Shivesh’s chocolate obsession dates back to the first dessert he ever made: a simple chocolate cupcake. “It was actually from a Betty Crocker pre-mix box,” he laughs. Over the years, chocolate has become a key ingredient in his journey as a baker. “It’s timeless,” he shares, “and it’s something everyone loves, no matter their age. So, when I decided to dedicate a whole book to one flavor, chocolate was the obvious choice.”
With Chocolate, Shivesh wanted to take things up a notch by pushing boundaries and experimenting with new techniques and flavors. “I didn’t want this to just be another baking book. I wanted it to show how magical chocolate really is. You can bake it, melt it, whip it, and pair it with so many things,” he explains. The result? Recipes that are fun, delicious, and sometimes completely unexpected.
Think lemon and white chocolate macarons, chocolate-caramel cupcakes topped with caramel popcorn, and a Persian love cake featuring ruby chocolate. There’s even a frozen tiramisu, which swaps the usual coffee for tropical flavors and adds layers of exciting textures. “One of my personal favorites is the banana chocolate Swiss roll,” says Shivesh. “It’s a light, chiffon-like cake, and I added honey chips and banana chips to make it extra special.”
But not every recipe in the book was planned. Shivesh recalls how the ombre chocolate cookie came about during a testing session. “We had leftover cookie dough from a bunch of trials, so I mixed them together and added three different kinds of chocolate. It turned out amazing! Sometimes, the best ideas come from happy accidents.”
Creating Chocolate was no small feat. Shivesh spent over a year perfecting the book, from developing and testing recipes to styling and photographing every dish himself. “Unlike social media, where you can fix mistakes with an edit, a book needs to be perfect from the start. It’s a much more structured process,” he explains.
For beginners who want to dive into chocolate desserts, Shivesh has a few suggestions. “Start with foolproof recipes like the chocolate suji cake or the classic chocolate chunk cookies. They’re simple but so satisfying. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the baked KitKat cheesecake or the no-bake dates and oats bar. You don’t need any fancy skills for those,” he says with a smile.
While Shivesh’s favorite recipes from the book include the triple chocolate cake, bourbon cheesecake, and the chocolate Swiss roll, he’s quick to emphasize that there’s something for everyone in Chocolate. Most of the recipes are eggless, making them accessible to a wide audience.
As the holiday season approaches, Shivesh has his hands full with Christmas recipes, workshops, and events to promote the book. But he’s loving every bit of the hustle. “Chocolate has been such a big part of my life, and I’m so excited to share this book with everyone. It’s truly a labor of love,” he says.
Priced at ₹1,299, Chocolate is already available for pre-order on Amazon. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this book is sure to inspire you to create some chocolatey magic in your own kitchen.
