Last weekend I made a chocolate tiramisu torte that was heavenly. It was not the tiramisu recipe, but rather a much less fiddly version. I like that. Then it is much quicker getting to the eating part. Not all my family was impressed though. It was a little too boozy for some, which you could probably get around by using rum extract in place of the rum, or just leaving it out altogether. It is also a more bittersweet flavour of chocolate than some people are used to. I had to take matters into my own hands and finish it …read more

This is the recipe I always use for birthday cakes.  Nothing fancy, but it always works, it is quick to make, and it is chocolate.  Enough said!
Cake Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup boiling water
3/4 cup butter at room temperature
1-1/4 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350F.  In a medium bowl, stir cocoa into boiling water until completely dissolved.  Let cool.  Add butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, and salt.  Beat with electric mixer on low speed for one minute, then on high speed for three minutes.  Pour batter …read more