Red Wine Chocolate Cake

Red Wine Chocolate Cake

• • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 3/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, unsweetened cocoa powder (plus extra for dusting)

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 egg (room temperature)

  • 1/4 cup milk (room temperature)

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • 3/4 cup red wine

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Extras: Ganache (recipe below), raspberries and powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Spray the paper and the sides of the pan with non-stick spray, then dust with cocoa powder (just as if you were greasing and flouring the pan).

In the bowl of your electric mixer, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the remaining wet ingredients and beat on low for 30 seconds to combine, then on medium speed for 2 minutes until well blended.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 25-28 minutes, until the center is done and the cake springs back when gently touched. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and cool completely before serving.

For the ganache:

Chop 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate; place in a bowl and set aside. Heat 1/2 cup (4 ounces) cream in a small saucepan, and remove from the heat just as it starts to boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Let stand for several minutes then stir with a spatula until smooth and shiny. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before pouring over the cooled cake.

If desired, place fresh raspberries on top of the ganache before it sets. Chill in the refrigerator for about an hour to set.

Yields 8 servings.