Chocolate Heart Torte with Raspberries

Ingredients:
Torte:
14 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
5 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:
1/4 cup seedless red raspberry or strawberry jam
1 1//2 to 2 cups fresh raspberries or strawberries
Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Instructions:
1. Grease the bottom of an 8-inch heart-shape cake pan with a removable bottom or an 8-inch round springform pan; set pan aside. In a heavy medium saucepan combine chocolate, butter, and milk. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat; cool mixture for 20 minutes.

2. In a mixing bowl beat eggs and vanilla with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Add granulated sugar and flour; beat on high speed for 10 minutes. Stir chocolate mixture into egg mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in a 325 degree F (160 C) oven for 30 minutes (35 minutes for springform pan) or until outer one-third of top is slightly puffed. (Because this torte is so dense, you won't be able use a traditional cake doneness test). The torte should be done after 30 to 35 minutes, even though the center will still appear to be underbaked.)

4. Cool torte in pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Use a knife dipped in warm water to loosen torte from sides of pan. Cool torte thoroughly. Remove sides of pan. Wrap torte in foil; chill overnight or up to 2 days.

5. To serve, bring torte to room temperature. In a small saucepan melt jam; cool. Spread jam on top of torte. Cover jam with raspberries (or strawberries, if using), stem sides down. If desired, before serving, dust with powdered sugar.

Makes 16 servings.

Date: February 5, 2003