COOKING WITH CLORIS -- MAGICAL MYSTERY MOCHA CAKE

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’re repeating one of our favorite to-die for desserts a la Cloris. -- AP

MAGICAL MYSTERY MOCHA CAKE

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

1 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate

2T butter

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

4T cocoa

1T  instant coffee (optional, depending on how strong a mocha taste you want)

1 cup cold espresso or coffee (make it double strength for a stronger mocha taste)

1 cup either chocolate chips, dried cherries, dried raspberries, walnuts or combination of any of these

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Note: If using dried fruit, soak the fruit in warm water for 30 minutes.

Mix together first 4 ingredients.  Melt chocolate and butter.  Add milk and vanilla.  Stir to blend.  Add to flour mixture, stirring well until batter is smooth.  Mix in chocolate chips/dried fruit/nuts.  Pour into greased 8” x 11” pan.  Combine remaining sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, and instant coffee.  Pour evenly over batter.   Pour cold espresso over sugar/cocoa mixture.  Bake for 40 minutes.

For an even more decadent dessert, serve with a scoop of java chip ice cream. Just plan to diet for the rest of the month.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! How are you celebrating? Post a comment for a chance to win a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP