For the Love of Chocolate: 80 At-Home Recipes from a Master Chocolatier’s Imagination

“I consider myself a storyteller, and chocolate is my love language,” writes debut author Rix, the founder of Phillip Ashley Chocolates, in this irresistible collection of melt-in-your-mouth recipes. Rix opens with a crash course on “Chocistry 101,” covering chocolate’s origins (the cacao tree’s Latin name means “food of the gods”), types (dark, milk, semi-/bittersweet), necessary equipment (thermometers, scales, and molds), and foundational techniques, including an in-depth breakdown of how to temper chocolate. Bold flavor combinations—including bonbons infused with barbecue smoke or coconut curry—draw from Rix’s Memphis culinary roots and family favorites. Recipes range from sweet to savory and classic to avant-garde, with standouts including champagne-infused truffles; chocolate-dipped sweet potatoes inspired by Rix’s grandmother’s farm; peanut butter caramel cayenne brownies that pack a kick; and, as a vegan option, an avocado-based chocolate pudding. Chocolate-for-breakfast dishes, cocktails, and sample menus for “chocuterie” round things out. Some recipes require tricky techniques, but Rix proves a reliable guide through even the most challenging concoction. This stuns. (Sept.)