This is my go-to dessert. For someone who doesn’t eat dessert and doesn’t care much for baking, this is one I actually enjoy eating and making!

Ingredients:

• 10 oz. of semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 7 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon of chipotle chili powder
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• Pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Raspberry coulis (recipe follows)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9 ½ inch springform pan with a circle of parchment paper. Grease the sides and the parchment with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

Melt the chocolate and butter together over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Whisk together the eggs and the sugar in a large bowl, and then slowly, a bit at a time, whisk in the melted chocolate. Add the salt and spices and taste, adjusting the spices if needed.

Pour into the springform pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar. Swirl raspberry coulis on plate, add cake and a mint leaf for a beautiful presentation.

Serve with Van Ruiten Petite Sirah.

Raspberry Coulis:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 18 ounces (1 1/2 pints) raspberries

Combine sugar, berries and 1/2 C water in saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cook until sugar is dissolved. Cool, put in blender and puree until smooth. Strain then discard solids. Makes about 2 cups.