Raspberry Ganache Cake

Raspberry Ganache:

⅓ c. heavy cream

1 c. chocolate chips

¼ c. seedless raspberry preserves

2 tablespoon butter

In a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream to a simmer; remove pan from heat. Add the chocolate chips, preserves, and butter, shaking the pan to immerse the chocolate and as much of the preserves and butter as possible. Let stand for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the chocolate has melted. Beat the mixture with a wire whisk until smooth. Cool until thick enough to use as a glaze; or, cool completely and whip to desired spreading consistency using an electric mixer on medium speed.

For cake batter:
½ cup boiling water
⅓ cup plus 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
¼ cup whole milk
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ cup seedless raspberry jam (about 3‚ ounces)
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

Make cake batter:
In a bowl whisk together boiling water and cocoa powder until smooth and whisk in milk, vanilla, and jam. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy and add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Into another bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt and add to egg mixture in batches alternately with cocoa mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating well after each addition.

Pour batter evenly over frosting mixture and bake in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until a tester inserted into cake comes out clean (frosting on bottom will still be liquid). Cool cake slightly in pan on a rack, 10 to 20 minutes. Once cake has cooled completely, frost with ganache, and top with toasted walnuts, if desired.

--Chrissie
St. Louis, MO