Best 20 Chocolate Sauce Cake Recipes

COFFEE ALMOND ICE-CREAM CAKE WITH DARK CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the cake:
• In a bowl with a fork stir together the crumbs and the butter until the mixture is combined well, pat the mixture onto the bottom and 1 inch up the side of a lightly oiled 8-inch springform pan, 2 1/2 inches deep, and freeze the crust for 30 minutes, or until it is firm. Spread the ice cream evenly on the crust and return the pan to the freeze for 30 minutes, or until the ice cream is firm. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the cream with the vanilla until it holds stiff peaks, fold in the amaretti thoroughly, and spread the mixture over the ice cream. Smooth the top of the cake, sprinkle it with the almonds, and freeze the cake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the top is firm. Freeze the cake, covered with plastic wrap and foil, for at least 4 hours or overnight. Just before serving, wrap a warm dampened kitchen towel around the side of the pan, remove the side, and transfer the cake to a serving plate. Cut the cake into wedges with a knife dipped in hot water and serve it with the chocolate sauce.
• To make the sauce:
• In a small heavy saucepan combine the cream and the brown sugar, bring the mixture to a boil over moderately high heat, whisking occasionally, and boil it, whisking, until the brown sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolates, whisking until they are melted. Whisk in the butter and the Amaretto, whisking until the sauce is smooth, and let the sauce cool slightly. The chocolate sauce may be made 1 week in advance and kept covered and chilled. Reheat the chocolate sauce over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is warm.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CAKE WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• FOR SAUCE:
• Working in batches, puree raspberries and syrup in processor. Strain puree into medium bowl. Chill. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• FOR CAKE:
• Preheat oven to 350 °F. Line bottom of 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides with parchment. Place all chocolate in large bowl. Bring butter, espresso and sugar to boil in medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add to chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk in eggs.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Place cake pan in roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of cake pan. Bake until center of cake is set and tester inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour. Remove pan from water. Chill cake overnight.
• Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Using oven mitts as aid, hold pan bottom over low heat for 15 seconds, warming slightly to release cake. Place platter over pan. Hold pan and platter together tightly and invert. Lift off cake pan; peel off parchment.
• Serve with sauce and fresh berries.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH FUDGE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, prepared pudding with milk according to package directions for pudding. Pour into a large bowl; add cake mix and beat until well blended. , Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched and edges pull away from sides of pan. Cool on a wire rack. , For sauce, in a large heavy saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Stir in evaporated milk and sugar until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 8 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm sauce with cake. Serve with mint if desired.

EASY CHOCOLATE SAUCE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Mix all ingredients except the brown sugar and 4 tbsp cocoa and hot water. Spread into a 9x9 pan or equivalent.
• Mix brown sugar and cocoa and spread over batter.
• Carefully pour the hot water over all.
• Bake at 350°F for approximately 40 minutes.

LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE ANGEL CAKE WITH RASPBERRY-ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Move oven rack to lowest position (remove other racks). Heat oven to 350°F. In extra-large glass or metal bowl, stir cocoa into dry cake mix; add water. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan. (Do not use fluted tube cake pan or 9-inch angel food pan or batter will overflow.)
• Bake 37 to 47 minutes or until top is dark golden brown and cracks feel very dry and not sticky. Do not underbake. Immediately turn pan upside down onto glass bottle, or rest edges on 2 to 4 cans of equal height until cake is completely cooled, about 2 hours. Run knife around edge of cake; remove from pan.
• Drain raspberries, reserving liquid. Add enough water to raspberry liquid to measure 2/3 cup. In 1-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch; stir in liquid mixture. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils; boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in orange juice and raspberries. Cool completely.
• Split cake horizontally to make 3 layers. (To split, mark side of cake with toothpicks and cut with long, serrated knife.) Spread 1 cup whipped topping and scant 1/2 cup sauce between each layer (sauce may not completely cover each layer). Spread remaining sauce over top of cake. Drop remaining whipped cream in dollops on top of sauce. Garnish with mint leaves, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

COCONUT CRUNCH CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch springform pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, stir together cream of coconut and vanilla.
• Beat butter and coconut oil on medium-high until smooth. Slowly add sugar; beat until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with 2 batches of cream-of-coconut mixture. Beat until just combined.
• Topping: In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites and salt until thick and frothy, about 1 minute. Stir in milk and vanilla. Fold in coconut.
• Spread cake batter in pan. Pour topping over batter; carefully spread in an even layer. Bake on a rimmed baking sheet until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs, about 1 hour (tent with foil if browning too quickly).
• Chocolate Sauce: In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream and sugar almost to a boil, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Pour over chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Stir until smooth, then stir in vanilla.
• Let cake cool completely; remove from pan. Cut into wedges, drizzle with chocolate sauce, and serve with extra sauce on the side.

EXTRA DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease three 9-inch round cake pans.
• Combine cocoa powder and chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Pour boiling hot coffee over top and whisk until chocolate chips have melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
• Combine sugar, butter, and vegetable oil in a separate bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cocoa mixture, beating batter briefly after each addition. Spread 1/3 of the batter into each prepared cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges of each pan to loosen. Invert one layer carefully onto a serving plate and invert the remaining layers onto a cooling rack. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine sugar and salt for the caramel sauce in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until liquefied. Just after mixture begins to smoke, slowly add half-and-half, stirring constantly, until fully incorporated. (Be careful as the addition of cold liquid makes the molten sugar foam up.) Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Pour 1/2 of the caramel sauce on top of the bottom layer of the cooled cake. Add the second layer of cake, top with remaining caramel sauce, and add the final layer of cake. Dust lightly with powdered sugar.

DECADENT DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter a 9-inch round cake pan. Dust the pan with flour and tap out the excess.
• Whisk together the flour and cocoa powder in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Fill a pot one-third full with water and bring to a simmer. Combine the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Place the bowl over the simmering water and whisk until the mixture is warm to the touch. Transfer the bowl to the mixer stand and, using the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until the mixture triples in volume and forms a thick ribbon when the whisk is lifted, about 8 minutes. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour mixture. Fold in the melted butter. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
• Bake the cake for 20 to 25 minutes, until it has pulled away from the side of the pan and the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes. Unmold the cake on a rack and cool completely, right side up.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat 2 1/2 cups of the heavy cream to soft peaks. Scrape half of the whipped cream into a medium bowl. Cover both bowls and refrigerate.
• Place the dark chocolate in a large bowls. Bring the remaining 1 cup cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour the hot cream over the dark chocolate and set aside till it melts. Once it's nearly melted start gently the mixture until smooth.
• Let the chocolate mixtures cool for 10 minutes, then fold the chocolate into the remaining whipped cream.
• Combine 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then mix in the Raspberry Liqueur. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
• Using a serrated knife, slice the cake horizontally in half. Cup a strip of parchment paper to line the inside of a 9x4-inch cake ring. Line the mold with the strip and place it on a serving plate. Place a 9-inch cardboard cake round in the bottom of the cake ring. Place the bottom cake round, cut side up, in the ring. Brush the cake generously with the Raspberry syrup. Scrape the dark chocolate mousse onto the cake and smooth it into an even layer. Top with the second cake round, cut side down. Brush the cake generously with Raspberry syrup. Chill the cake for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• To unmold the cake, lift it off the plate, holding it with your palm against the cardboard round. Using a hairdryer or warm damp towel, briefly warm the cake ring mold. Lift off the ring mold and peel off the parchment strip. Allow the cake to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water and cocoa. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. , Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through the batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest oven rack at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned and entire top appears dry. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour. , In a small saucepan, combine sugar substitute and cornstarch; add raspberries. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer or until the mixture is thickened. Remove saucepan from the heat; cool., Run a knife around side and center tube of cake pan; remove cake to a serving platter. Strain the raspberry sauce; spoon over cake sliced. Serve with whipped topping.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 10-inch-diameter springform pan. Line bottom with waxed paper. Stir butter and chocolate in heavy large saucepan over low heat until melted. Mix sugar and cocoa in large bowl. Add eggs; whisk until well blended. Whisk in chocolate-butter mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack. Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For caramel sauce:
• Stir sugar, water, and lemon juice in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Add in cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Return to low heat; stir until any bits of caramel dissolve. Add butter; whisk until smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Cut cake into wedges. If desired, arrange wedges on baking sheet and rewarm in 350°F oven 10 minutes. Rewarm caramel sauce over medium-low heat, stirring often. Place 1 cake wedge on each plate. Drizzle with warm caramel sauce. Serve with ice cream.

CHOCOLATE-GINGER CAKE WITH BOURBON SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9-inch Bundt pan. Dust with cocoa powder, and tap out excess; set aside. Put butter, molasses, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until butter has melted. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Add eggs, milk, and grated ginger to the molasses mixture; whisk to combine. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and cinnamon into a medium bowl.
• Gently fold the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until just combined. (There should be lumps remaining.) Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cake until a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cake cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
• Invert cake, and unmold onto a cake stand or a large serving platter. Using a spoon, drizzle the warm bourbon sauce over the cake in a back-and-forth motion. Serve immediately.

SPICED HAZELNUT-PEAR CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Poach the pears:
• Peel pears. Using a 1/2 tsp. measuring spoon or small melon baller, scoop upward from bottom of pears 1 1/2-2" to remove core and seeds; discard. Combine pears, wine, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and 3 cups water in a large, heavy pot. Cut a round of parchment to fit just inside pot and cover pears.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, turning pears occasionally to coat with liquid, until pears are very tender but not falling apart, 20-25 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pears to a large bowl and cover with parchment round.
• Bring poaching liquid to a boil, then cook over medium heat until reduced to the consistency of thick syrup, 12-15 minutes (you should have 1/2 cup). Transfer 5 pears to a medium bowl, reserving remaining pears for cake, and pour syrup over. Cover with parchment and let cool, or chill overnight.
• Bake the cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cake pan with butter and line bottom with parchment paper.
• Toast hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 6-8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Pulse 1/2 cup dry ingredients and 3/4 cup hazelnuts in a food processor until hazelnuts are chopped into a fine flour; reserve remaining hazelnuts. Transfer chopped hazelnuts to bowl with dry ingredients.
• Wipe out food processor bowl and add 5 poached pears. Pulse until smooth. Transfer 2 cups to a small bowl; discard leftover purée.
• Beat brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and 3/4 cup butter on medium-high speed in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Scrape down bowl and add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add half of pear purée and beat on low speed. Add half of flour mixture and beat on low to incorporate. Beat in remaining pear purée and flour mixture until combined. Pour into prepared pan; smooth top. Set pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake cake, rotating sheet halfway through, until center is set and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool.
• Assemble the cake:
• Turn chilled pears in liquid to coat, then transfer liquid (about 1/2 cup) to a small saucepan. Add chocolate and 3/4 cup cream and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, just until chocolate is melted. Whisk to combine, then transfer to a medium bowl. Chill, stirring occasionally so chocolate doesn't set, until room temperature, about 10 minutes.
• Remove cake from pan, trim top with a serrated knife if domed, and invert onto a 12" platter. Remove parchment. Using a toothpick, poke holes all over top of cake. Using a pastry brush, brush top with 1/4 cup chocolate sauce.
• Meanwhile, coarsely chop remaining 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts. Whip remaining 3/4 cup cream to medium-soft peaks in stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
• Top cake with whipped cream, pears, and hazelnuts. Drizzle chocolate sauce over pears. Serve remaining chocolate sauce alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Cake and pears can be made 2 days ahead; cover in separate containers and chill.

CHERRY-ALMOND ICE CREAM CAKE WITH MILK CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Make chocolate sauce:
• Heat 2/3 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until butter melts. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; let stand 1 minute. Whisk until chocolate melts and sauce is smooth. Mix in vanilla extract. Cool sauce to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Make ice cream cake:
• Line bottom of 9 x 5 x 2 1/2-inch metal loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides. Using back of spoon, spread 1 pint ice cream over bottom of prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with 1 cup cookie crumbs. Spread another 1 pint ice cream over cookie crumbs. Freeze until ice cream is firm, about 20 minutes. Spread with 3/4 cup sauce; freeze 20 minutes. Spread with remaining 1 pint ice cream; sprinkle with 1 cup cookie crumbs, pressing crumbs into ice cream to adhere. Cover pan and freeze ice cream cake until very firm, at least 4 hours. (Can be prepared 5 days ahead. Keep cake frozen. Cover and refrigerate remaining sauce. Store remaining 1 cup crumbs airtight at room temperature.)
• Stir remaining sauce in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until warmed through; pour into small pitcher or bowl. Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Turn cake out onto platter. Peel off parchment. Sprinkle top of cake with remaining 1 cup crumbs.
• Cut cake crosswise into slices. Serve immediately with warm sauce.

CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM AND BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Butter and flour 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar; beat until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add dry ingredients in 3 additions, beating well after each addition. Fold in chocolate chips. Transfer batter to pan. Smooth top.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife between pan sides and cake; turn cake out onto rack. Cool. Wrap in foil; let stand at room temperature at least 1 day. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store wrapped in foil at room temperature.)
• Cut pound cake into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Place 1 cake slice on each of 10 plates. Spoon Sweetened Strawberries and scoop of ice cream alongside. Drizzle with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce and serve.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé CAKE WITH ORANGE CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Put a small roasting pan filled halfway with hot water in bottom third of oven (to provide moisture during baking), then preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan and line bottom with a round of parchment or wax paper. Butter paper.
• Melt butter and chocolate together in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, then remove from heat. Beat together yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer until thick and pale, and ribbons form when beater is lifted, about 6 minutes. Beat whites at medium speed with cleaned beaters in another large bowl until they just hold soft peaks. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, beating until whites just hold stiff peaks. Stir warm chocolate mixture into yolk mixture until combined well. Stir one fourth of egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining egg whites gently but thoroughly.
• Pour batter into springform pan and bake in middle of oven (do not place springform pan in pan of hot water) until a tester inserted in center comes out with crumbs adhering, about 1 hour (a crust will form and crack on top of cake as it bakes). Transfer to a rack and cool 10 minutes (cake will "deflate" as it cools). Run a thin knife carefully around edge of cake, then remove side of pan. Cool cake on bottom of pan 30 minutes, then invert onto another rack or plate. Remove bottom of pan, then carefully peel off parchment. Invert cake onto a serving plate.
• Make sauce while cake bakes:
• Remove zest from 2 oranges and trim any white pith from zest. Cut zest into enough very thin strips to measure 1/4 cup. Squeeze juice from 3 oranges and strain through a fine sieve. Measure out 1 cup juice.
• Cook remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a dry heavy saucepan over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel. Add zest and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Tilt pan and carefully pour in juice (caramel will harden and steam vigorously). Cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until caramel is dissolved, then cool sauce.
• Serve cake with orange sauce.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°.
• Use Pam to spray an 8x8-inch cake pan.
• Mix the dry ingredients from the cake list.
• Add the wet ingredients and stir well.
• Pour in pan and bake 40-50 minutes.
• For the sauce, put the water and sugar in a pan.
• Bring to a boil; add the cocoa.
• Simmer 5 minutes, then stir in the vanilla.
• Poke holes in the cake; pour the sauce over top.

SPARKLING WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHAMPAGNE-RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Finely chop 12 oz. of the white chocolate and place in large bowl; reserve remaining 4 oz. chocolate for garnish. Place remaining frosting ingredients in medium saucepan; cook over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes or until butter is melted and cream is hot (do not let cream boil). Pour over chocolate; let stand 3 to 4 minutes or until chocolate is soft and melted. Gently whisk until smooth.
• Pour into 13x9-inch baking pan. Refrigerate 2 to 4 hours or until frosting is of spreadable consistency.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F Spray 2 (9x2-inch) round baking pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottoms with parchment paper. Spray paper with nonstick cooking spray; lightly flour.
• To make cake, melt 1/4 cup butter in small saucepan over low heat or in microwave. Skim foam from top; cover to keep warm.
• In large bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 cup sugar and salt until blended. Set bowl over saucepan of barely simmering water (bowl should not touch water). Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, whisking constantly. Remove from heat.
• Beat at medium-high speed 5 minutes or until mixture is pale and thick; beat in vanilla. Sift half of flour over egg mixture; gently fold until combined. Sift and fold in remaining flour. Stir about 1 cup of the cake batter into melted butter. Fold mixture back into batter. Divide batter between cake pans.
• Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Run small knife around pan edges to loosen; invert onto rack; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make syrup. Combine 1/2 cup of the Champagne and 1/4 cup sugar in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Boil 2 to 3 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Place in small bowl; cool to room temperature.
• To make sauce, place remaining 2 cups Champagne in another medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high to high heat; boil until reduced to 1 to 1 1/4 cups, about 10 minutes. Stir in raspberries and 1/4 cup of the jam; reduce heat to low. Simmer 1 minute or until jam is melted and raspberries are thawed. Cool slightly. Place mixture in food processor or blender; process until smooth. Strain through sieve to remove seeds. Cover and store in refrigerator.
• To assemble cake, place one layer on serving platter or cardboard round. Brush with half of the syrup; spread with remaining 1/4 cup of the jam. Spread about 1/2 cup of the frosting over raspberry jam (don't worry if layers blend together). Top with second cake layer. Brush with remaining half syrup; frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Using vegetable peeler, make chocolate curls or shavings. Press curls onto sides of cake. Store in refrigerator; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Serve with raspberry sauce.

CHOCOLATE-CHIP ICE-CREAM-SANDWICH CAKE WITH BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE

Steps:

• For butterscotch sauce:
• Combine first 5 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until both sugars dissolve. Increase heat and boil until large bubbles break on surface and sauce drops thickly from spoon, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in cream and vanilla (mixture may bubble vigorously). (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm slightly over low heat before using.)
• For cookies:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides with parchment paper; butter paper. Sift flour, baking soda and salt into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in large bowl until well blended. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop half of dough by large spoonfuls into each prepared pan; spread evenly. Bake cookies until light golden, about 18 minutes. Cool cookies in pans on racks. Carefully turn out cookies; peel off parchment.
• Place 1 cookie, top side up, in 9-inch springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Drizzle 1/4 cup sauce over. Spread evenly with ice cream; drizzle with 1/2 cup sauce. Top with remaining cookie, top side up; press gently to adhere. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons sauce. Cover pan and freeze ice cream cake at least 5 hours. Cover and chill remaining sauce. (Cake and sauce can be prepared 3 days ahead.)
• Cut around cake with small knife to loosen. Release pan sides. Let cake stand until ice cream is slightly softened, about 20 minutes. Rewarm butterscotch sauce over low heat. Cut cake into wedges; serve with sauce.

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. For the Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• 2. Line the bottom of a 9" round cake pan with 2" high sides with parchment paper. Butter the bottom and sides of the pan, as well as the parchment paper. You could also use a 9" spring form pan. If you use a spring form pan, wrap the outside of the pan with foil.
• 3. Place all the chocolate in a large bowl. Bring the butter, coffee, water and brown sugar to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour over the chocolate and stir until all is melted. Allow to cool slightly, then whisk in the eggs until all is combined.
• 4. Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared pan. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan in the oven. Pour hot water into the roasting pan until it comes halfway up the sides of the cake pan. A water bath will help the cake cook more evenly.
• 5. Bake until the center of the cake is barely set - about 50 minutes. Check at 45 minutes as oven temperatures vary. Carefully remove the pan from the hot water bath. Allow to cool for about 30 minutes, then chill the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• 6. To remove the cake from the pan when time to serve: Cut around pan sides to loosen. If you used a regular cake pan, hold the pan bottom in hot water for about 15 seconds to loosen. Place platter over the pan. Hold pan and platter together, then turn over. Lift off the cake pan and remove the parchment. If you used a spring form pan, carefully remove sides of the pan. Turn onto a platter, then gently loosen from the base of the spring form pan with a long metal spatula or thin bladed knife, if needed. Remove the parchment paper.
• 7. To serve,slice into 12-16 portions. Drizzle with raspberry sauce. Top with whipped cream or place it to the side of the cake. Garnish with a few fresh raspberries and/or a fresh mint leaf, if desired.
• 8. For the Raspberry Sauce: Place the raspberries in a blender, and blend. Strain the puree into a bowl through a wire mesh strainer. Discard the seeds.
• 9. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 3 minutes to make a simple syrup.
• 10. Add the simple syrup to the raspberries, along with the Chambord, if desired. The sauce can be made ahead, and kept in the refrigerator, or frozen if you are making it more than a couple days in advance.
• 11. To Freeze for Future Use: Wrap the whole cake in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Or wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. To serve individual slices, unwrap first, then thaw.

WARM BANANA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Grease 6-4 oz ramekins with butter and dust with flour.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together and set aside.
• Mix vegetable oil and sugar in mixing bowl, using electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
• Beat in eggs and mashed bananas, using low speed.
• While continuing to beat at low speed, add sifted dry ingredients, slowly.
• Continue beating until mixture is thoroughly blended.
• Divide batter among prepared ramekins.
• Arrange ramekins on baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until cakes are firm to touch and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
• Place on wire rack and cool for at least 5 minutes.
• Cakes should be served warm.
• MAKE THE SAUCE:.
• Place chocolate in bowl.
• Heat milk and cream in saucepan to simmer over medium heat.
• Pour over chocolate and let stand to soften chocolate.
• Whisk until blended.
• Whisk in vanilla extract.
• Set aside keeping sauce warm.
• MAKE CARAMELIZED BANANAS:.
• Place butter and sugar in skillet over high heat.
• Cook until sugar turns amber and caramelizes.
• Add sliced banana and continue cooking until completely coated.
• Remove from heat immediately.
• Remove cakes from ramekins and place onto individual plates.
• Pour hot chocolate sauce around cake, place scoop of vanilla ice cream onto plate.
• Arrange 3 of caramelized bananas around cake cake and garnish with walnuts.
• Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!