A splendid three layer chocolate cake, spread with raspberry preserves, filled with a luscious chocolate mousse and frosted with a decadent chocolate ganache.

Luscious Raspberry Chocolate Cake

Cake:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

Dash salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup milk

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 to 4 tablespoons seedless red or black raspberry preserves

Mousse Filling:

1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon cold water
2 tablespoons boiling water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup cold whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Chocolate Ganache:

2 cups heavy or whipping cream

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

 

1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line bottom of three 8-inch round baking pans with parchment or wax paper. Lightly grease sides of pans.
2. For Cake: Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. Combine melted butter and sugar; add milk, vinegar and vanilla and stir until blended.
4. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture until well blended. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
5. Bake 15 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; gently peel off wax paper. Cool completely.
6. For Mousse Filling: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in small bowl; let stand 1 minute to soften.
7. Add boiling water; stir until gelatin is completely dissolved and mixture is clear. Cool slightly.
8. In small mixer bowl, stir together sugar and cocoa; add whipping cream and vanilla. Beat at medium speed of mixer, scraping bottom of bowl occasionally, until stiff; pour in cooled gelatin mixture and beat until well blended. Refrigerate about 30 minutes.
9. To Assemble: Place one cake layer on serving plate; spread 2 tablespoons preserves over top. Carefully spread half of filling over preserves to within 1-inch of edge. Refrigerate about 10 minutes.
10. Place second layer on top; repeat procedure with remaining preserves and filling. Place remaining layer on top. Refrigerate.
11. For Chocolate Ganache: Heat heavy cream in medium saucepan over low heat until warm. Add chocolate chips and stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Do not let mixture come to a boil. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and refrigerate until of spreading consistency, about 1 1/2 hours.
12. Spread ganache over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes prior to serving.
13. Refrigerate leftover cake.

Makes 12 servings.