Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Glaze Recipes

CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! BUNDT CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease and flour bundt pan, set aside.
• In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix and chocolate chips.
• In another bowl, combine water, eggs, and vanilla mixing well.
• Add egg mixture to dry mixture and mix with spoon until just blended.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until cake tests done when wooden pick in center comes out clean.
• Cool 15 to 20 minutes before removing cake from pan.
• When completely cool, drizzle cake with Chocolate Glaze.
• Chocolate Glaze: Combine all ingredients in bowl.
• Mix with spoon until smooth.

CHOCOLATE GLAZED CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously grease and lightly flour 12-cup fluted tube cake pan, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, mix cake mix, chocolate milk, butter, eggs, sour cream and dry pudding mix with spoon until well blended (batter will be very thick). Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon into pan.
• Bake 56 to 64 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Turn pan upside down onto cooling rack or heatproof serving plate; remove pan. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat glaze ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently, until chocolate chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Drizzle over cake. Store loosely covered.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• For filling: Bring milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan.
• Remove from heat.
• Combine sugar and cornstarch in large bowl.
• Beat egg yolks into sugar mixture.
• Gradually whisk hot milk into yolk mixture.
• Return mixture to saucepan.
• Whisk over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat; add chocolate, butter and vanilla and whisk until mixture is smooth.
• Transfer filling to medium bowl.
• Cool, stirring occasionally.
• Gently press plastic wrap directly onto surface of filling; cover and chill until cold, at least 3 hours.
• For cake: Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Butter 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 x 1-inch jelly roll pan.
• Line pan with parchment paper.
• Sift first 6 ingredients into large bowl.
• Whisk coffee, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla in medium bowl.
• Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients; mix just until combined.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• Cool cake completely in pan on rack.
• Using small knife, cut around edges of pan.
• Turn cake out onto work surface.
• Peel off parchment.
• Trim tough edges.
• Cut cake crosswise into three 5x10 1/2-inch pieces.
• (Filling and cake can be made ahead. Keep filling refrigerated up to 2 days. Wrap cake layers in plastic and refrigerate up to 1 day.) Place 1 cake layer on platter.
• Spread half of filling over top.
• Top with second cake layer.
• Spread remaining filling over.
• Top with third cake layer.
• Pour lukewarm glaze over top and sides of cake, covering completely.
• Smooth sides with spatula.
• Refrigerate 2 hours.
• (Can be prepared 1 day ahead; cover and keep refrigerated.).
• Chocolate Glaze (Makes 3 cups): Bring cream to simmer in large saucepan over low heat.
• Add chocolate, whisk until smooth.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in corn syrup.
• Cool glaze until barely lukewarm.

CHOCOLATE LOAF CAKE WITH EASY CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C/Gas Mark 4). Grease and flour a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan or spray with a baking spray that includes flour.
• With a hand mixer, beat sugar and butter together until well blended.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the salt, vanilla extract, baking soda, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Mix until blended.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add about 1/3 of the flour and 1/2 of the milk and mix on low speed until combined.
• Add another 1/3 of the flour and the remaining milk and mix thoroughly.
• Add the remaining flour and combine all ingredients, being careful not to overbeat the batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
• Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a rack for about 10 minutes.
• Carefully remove the cake from the pan and cool completely on a rack.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Sift the confectioners' sugar into a bowl and set aside.
• In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter.
• Whisk in the cocoa powder and milk and continue cooking and stirring until thickened.
• Remove the chocolate mixture from the heat and whisk in the confectioners' sugar. Thin out with more milk, if needed, or add more confectioners' sugar if a thicker icing is desired.
• Glaze the cake with the chocolate glaze, or frost, as desired.

CHOCOLATE VELVET POUND CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Position rack in lower third of the oven. On low speed with an electric mixer, mix the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
• Add the softened butter, whole egg, and egg whites. Set a timer for 2 minutes as you begin beating on medium speed. As soon as the dry ingredients are moistened, increase the speed to high and continue mixing until the 2 minutes are up. Stir the optional espresso powder into the yogurt, if you are using it. Add the yogurt and vanilla to the batter. Beat at high speed for exactly 2 more minutes.
• Scrape the batter into the pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or just until a thin wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Do not over bake. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for ten minutes before unmolding on the rack to cool completely. Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar.
• Make the Glaze: In a small heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the brown sugar with the cocoa. Use a wooden spoon to stir in just enough milk to form a smooth paste. Stir in the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat until mixture simmers, and finally begins to boil, stirring constantly and scraping the sides and bottom edges of the saucepan religiously. Boil gently for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Off heat, stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature. Spoon glaze over cake.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING AND CHOCOLATE GANACHE GLAZE

Steps:

• To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil 3 (10-inch) cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper. Alternately, oil the pans and then flour them.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the brown sugar and oil. Turn on the mixer to a low speed and mix in the eggs. Let the sugar, oil, and eggs mix while sifting together the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Set this mixture aside.
• In another small bowl, mix the vanilla into the milk and set this aside as well. Bring the water to a boil and pour over the cocoa and whisk it until it is smooth. To the egg mixture, alternately add the flour mixture and the milk mixture beginning and ending with flour. With the mixer off, scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. With the mixture at a low speed add the cocoa. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and pour this mixture into the prepared cake pans. Bake the cake for approximately 15 minutes or until tester comes out clean. When cake layers have cooled, remove from pans and refrigerate until cold.
• To make the frosting: In an electric mixing bowl place the soft butter and beat it on a low speed while adding powdered sugar. When all the sugar is mixed in, turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the vanilla and salt and let the mixer beat for 5 to 7 minutes on a medium speed. Fill and frost the cake and refrigerate it for 10 to 20 minutes to set up the frosting.
• To make the ganache: In a heatproof bowl, place the chocolate chips and the corn syrup. Bring the heavy cream to a full boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and whisk it until smooth then set it aside.Pour ganache over the top of the cake and, with a cake spatula, smooth the top of the cake and allow ganache to spill over the sides. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or longer.
• Serve the cake cold or allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE:.
• Cream shortening and butter; gradually add sugar, beating well at medium speed with an electric mixer. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.
• Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
• Pour batter into a greased and floured 10 inch tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes; remove from the pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.
• Spoon Chocolate Glaze over the top of the cake, allowing it to drizzle down the sides of the cake. Sprinkle top of cake with chopped pecans, if desired.
• FOR THE CHOCOLATE GLAZE:.
• Microwave the chocolate baking squares in a large glass bowl at high for 1 1/2 minutes, or until melted, stirring twice. Add sugar and water, beating at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add egg, and beat until blended. Add egg yolk, and beat until mixture cools. Add butter, 1 tbsp at a time, beating until blended. Serve over cake.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH ESPRESSO GLAZE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter bottom of a 9-inch springform pan, and line with parchment cut to fit. Melt butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water.
• With a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg yolks with 1/2 cup sugar until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Add espresso and salt, and beat for 1 minute. Add vanilla and chocolate mixture, and beat for 1 minute.
• In a clean bowl and with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites until foamy. Slowly add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold whites into chocolate mixture in 3 additions. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a rack. Remove pan sides. Carefully lift cake with a spatula, and remove parchment.
• Make the glaze: Place chocolate, butter, and vanilla in a bowl. Bring remaining ingredients to a boil, stirring, and pour over chocolate mixture. Whisk until smooth. Serve glaze warm with cake.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper or waxed paper; butter paper. Wrap outside of pan with foil. Stir chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm, stirring often.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 6 tablespoons sugar in large bowl until mixture is very thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Fold lukewarm chocolate mixture into yolk mixture, then fold in vanilla extract. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar, beating until medium-firm peaks form. Fold whites into chocolate mixture in 3 additions. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake cake until top is puffed and cracked and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist crumbs attached, about 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack (cake will fall).
• Gently press down crusty top to make evenly thick cake. Using small knife, cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Remove pan sides. Place 9-inch-diameter tart pan bottom or cardboard round atop cake. Invert cake onto tart pan bottom. Peel off parchment paper.
• Make glaze:
• Bring cream and corn syrup to simmer in medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth.
• Place cake on rack set over baking sheet. Spread 1/2 cup glaze smoothly over top and sides of cake. Freeze until almost set, about 3 minutes. Pour remaining glaze over cake; smooth sides and top. Place cake on platter. Chill until glaze is firm, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; store at room temperature.) Garnish with chocolate shavings or leaves. Serve at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• For filling:
• Bring milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Combine sugar and cornstarch in large bowl. Beat egg yolks into sugar mixture. Gradually whisk hot milk into yolk mixture. Return mixture to saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; add chocolate, butter and vanilla and whisk until mixture is smooth. Transfer filling to medium bowl. Cool, stirring occasionally. Gently press plastic wrap directly onto surface of filling; cover and chill until cold, at least 3 hours.
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 x 1-inch jelly roll pan. Line pan with parchment paper. Sift first 6 ingredients into large bowl. Whisk coffee, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla in medium bowl. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients; mix just until combined. Transfer batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack. Using small knife, cut around edges of pan. Turn cake out onto work surface. Peel off parchment. Trim tough edges. Cut cake crosswise into three 5x10 1/2-inch pieces. (Filling and cake can be made ahead. Keep filling refrigerated up to 2 days. Wrap cake layers in plastic and refrigerate up to 1 day.)
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread half of filling over top. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining filling over. Top with third cake layer. Pour lukewarm glaze over top and sides of cake, covering completely. Smooth sides with spatula. Refrigerate 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead; cover and keep refrigerated.)

THE BEST CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Melt cocoa and butter together in a small saucepan over low heat, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract. Stir in hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until glaze is thick and smooth.

CHOCOLATE CAKES WITH GANACHE GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans and dust with cocoa, tapping out excess. Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined.
• Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Divide batter between pans. Bake until set and a toothpick inserted into center of each comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans set on wire racks for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes. Let cool completely.
• Transfer 1 cake to a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour half the warm ganache over top; pour in center, then slowly but steadily pour around edges, allowing ganache to drip down sides and cover cake. Let stand for 15 minutes. Transfer cake to a cake stand. Repeat with remaining cake and ganache.
• Let cakes stand until set, about 3 hours at room temperature or 1 hour in the refrigerator.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE YOU EVER ATE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9 x 13 inch pan.
• Sift 2 cups white sugar and 2 cups flour together; set aside.
• In a sauce pan; combine 1/2 cup butter or margarine, oil, water, and 1/4 cup cocoa. Bring mixture to a boil, remove from heat and add to dry ingredients.
• Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk; add with eggs, salt, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla to cocoa, flour mixture and stir well.
• Pour batter into a 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes.
• To Make Frosting: Five minutes before cake is done combine 1/2 cup butter,1/4 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup milk in saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and chopped pecans. Pour frosting over hot cake. Cake remains moist and may be frozen. Serves 20.

CHOCOLATE-GLAZED HONEY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease two 8x3-inch loaf pans.
• Mix 4 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, honey, eggs, oil, coffee, jam, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and baking soda together in a bowl until smooth; spread evenly into the prepared loaf pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove cake from pans and cool on a wire rack.
• Mix 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa powder, water, and 1 teaspoon flour together, stirring constantly, in a saucepan over low heat until mixture is smooth and thick, about 8 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and add margarine and brandy; whisk until glaze is thickened. Refrigerate glaze until cooled, at least 15 minutes.
• Spread glaze over cooled cakes.

GLAZED CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch-round cake pan; line bottom with a round of waxed or parchment paper. Butter paper; dust bottom and sides of pan with cocoa, tapping out excess.
• Sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the sour cream and beginning and ending with the flour.
• Spread batter in prepared pan. Tap pan firmly on countertop once to eliminate large air bubbles. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely (bottom-side up). Set rack with cake over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour glaze over cake, letting it run over sides; spread gently with an offset spatula or table knife to coat. Let set, about 30 minutes.
• If desired, whip cream and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Serve cake with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine all cake ingredients except chocolate chips and walnuts. Blend well with a handheld mixer, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Fold chocolate chips and walnuts (optional) into batter.
• Divide batter in half and pour evenly into two greased and floured round layer cake pans. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for at least one hour before turning out.
• Carefully turn first cake out of pan onto cake plate with flat side on plate and round side facing up. With a knife, carefully trim the rounded edge to make a flat surface for the filling.
• For filling, stir together brown sugar, cornstarch, salt and water in a medium saucepan. Over medium heat, cook (stirring constantly) until mixture begins to thicken (to a pudding-like consistency) and boil. Boil and stir for one minute. Remove from heat. Cool for at least 10 minutes. Spread filling over top of bottom layer of cake.
• Carefully turn second cake out of pan. Place flat side of cake atop bottom layer of cake (covered with filling) with round side facing up. Do not trim rounded top surface of cake.
• For glaze, heat chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Cool slightly. Spread over top layer of cake, allowing some of the glaze to drip down the sides of the cake.
• For bundt cake without filling, follow cake and glaze instructions. Baking time for cake may vary due to its being one layer instead of two. Turn cake out of bundt pan with flat side facing down and top with glaze as directed above.

SATINY CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• In a double boiler over hot, but not boiling water, combine chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, then add vanilla.
• Spread warm glaze over top of cake, letting it drizzle down the sides.

CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Place rack in center of oven and 15 minutes before baking, preheat to 375°.
• Divide sugar in half.
• Sift one half 3 times.
• Set aside.
• Sift the other half of sugar with the flour and cocoa 3 times.
• Set aside.
• Put egg whites in 4 quart grease-free bowl and beat on low speed with electric mixer until foamy.
• Add cream of tartar, vanilla and salt and increase speed to medium.
• Add the 3/4 cup sugar, one T at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Continue beating on medium until whites have increased their volume fivefold and hold their shape but are still shiny and moist.
• Gently and thoroughly fold in flour mixture, by thirds.
• Pour into ungreased 10" tube pan.
• Smooth the surface and cut through batter 5 or 6 times with a rubber spatula to break large air pockets.
• Bake 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Invert over a narrow-necked bottle and allow to cool.
• When completely cooled use a knife to loosen it from the side of the pan and turn out on wire rack.
• Drizzle Chocolate Glaze over top and allow to run down sides of cake.
• Chocolate Glaze: Combine chocolate, butter and water in bowl and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring once a minute until smooth.

EASY CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE GLAZE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. Cook, stirring constantly, until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not allow it to bubble. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Cool slightly before drizzling over a cake. If you want to make this ahead, it can be cooled and reheated in the microwave.

CHOCOLATE-DATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE STICKY TOFFEE GLAZE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-3-inch round cake pan. Line with parchment, and butter parchment.
• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Meanwhile, combine dates, brandy, coffee, and 2 tablespoons cocoa in a heatproof bowl. Stir in boiling water. Let cool, stirring occasionally. Puree cooled date mixture in a food processor (you should have about 2 1/2 cups). Place 3/4 cup puree in a small bowl, and press plastic wrap directly on surface; reserve. Place remaining puree in a large bowl.
• Whisk flour, salt, cinnamon, and remaining 2 tablespoons cocoa in a bowl.
• Beat butter and dark-brown sugar with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition (batter will look curdled).
• Stir baking soda into reserved uncovered date puree. On low speed, beat flour mixture into egg mixture in 2 additions, alternating with the date mixture. Beat in chocolate. Transfer batter to prepared pan, and smooth top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Run a knife around edge of pan to loosen, and invert cake onto rack. Remove parchment, turn cake right side up, and let cool completely.
• Make the glaze: Bring butter, light-brown sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Boil 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in cream. Add chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Whisk in brandy. Let cool until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Assemble the cake: Using a serrated knife, trim rounded top of cake so it is flat. Place cake on stand. Spread remaining 3/4 cup date puree over top of cake. Pour glaze over top, letting some drip down sides. Garnish with halved dates.

CHOCOLATE SNACKING CAKE WITH TANGERINE GLAZE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch pan and line with parchment paper, letting the two long edges hang over the sides by at least 2 inches.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• In a heatproof bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Or you can melt the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water on the stove, stirring well. Whisk in hot coffee.
• Whisk together flour mixture, coffee-chocolate mixture, brown sugar, sour cream, oil, eggs and vanilla. Scrape into baking pan and smooth the top. Bake until the top is springy and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely before glazing.
• When cake is cool, make the glaze: Whisk together tangerine zest, tangerine juice and lemon juice, then whisk in confectioners' sugar. Taste, and if it's too sweet, add another drop or two of lemon juice. Pour glaze onto cooled cake, and spread to the edges. Let glaze set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

JAM-FILLED CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Make cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (2 inches deep). In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar on high until pale and fluffy, 5 minutes. In a small saucepan, bring milk and butter to a simmer over medium. With mixer on medium, gradually add flour mixture to egg mixture and beat just until combined. With mixer on low, add milk mixture in a steady stream and beat until combined. Fold in vanilla.
• Pour batter into pan. Bake until top is light golden and a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack, 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of pan; turn cake out onto rack to cool completely (top side up), 30 minutes.
• With a serrated knife, trim top of cake to make it level, then split cake in half horizontally. Place bottom layer on a cake plate or serving platter and spread jam evenly on top with an offset spatula. Top with second layer.
• Make glaze: Place chocolate and corn syrup in a heatproof medium bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Immediately pour over chocolate and let sit 2 minutes. Stir until mixture is smooth. Pour glaze on cake and spread with offset spatula so it drips down sides. Refrigerate until glaze is set, 45 minutes (or up to 2 hours). To serve, arrange cream puffs (if using) on top of cake.

DARKEST CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH RED WINE GLAZE

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly butter and flour pan. Heat chocolate, sugar, and 1 cup butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water), stirring, until chocolate is almost completely melted, about 3 minutes; remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. Let cool completely.
• Using an electric mixer on medium speed, add eggs to chocolate mixture 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Beat until mixture has a mousse-like consistency. Reduce speed to low and add salt and 1/3 cup flour; mix until smooth. Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top.
• Bake cake until top is firm and edges are slightly darkened, 55-65 minutes (rely on visual cues; a tester inserted into cake's center will come out clean before cake is truly done). Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cake cool completely in pan before turning out.
• For glaze and assembly:
• Heat chocolate, butter, and salt in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water), stirring, until chocolate and butter are melted, about 5 minutes. Whisk in powdered sugar.
• Meanwhile, bring wine just to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Remove chocolate mixture from heat and whisk in wine; let cool until slightly thickened and a rubber spatula leaves a trail in mixture when stirring, 8-10 minutes.
• Set cake on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour glaze over cake and spread it across the top and over the edges with an offset spatula. Let cake stand at room temperature until glaze is set, 2-3 hours.
• DO AHEAD: Cake can be made and glazed 2 days ahead. Chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.

GLAZED CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH SPRINKLES

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter bottom and side of pan, then line bottom with a round of parchment.
• Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
• Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to medium-low and add flour mixture and milk alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture (batter will appear curdled).
• Transfer batter to cake pan and smooth top. Bake until cake begins to pull away from side of pan and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool cake in pan 5 minutes, then invert onto a rack and cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Make glaze while cake cools:
• Bring cream to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, then pour over chocolate in a bowl and let stand 1 minute. Gently whisk until smooth, then stir in corn syrup. Cool completely, gently stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes (glaze will thicken).
• Carefully peel off parchment from cake. Pour glaze onto center of cake and spread to edges with a spatula. Decorate with sprinkles and/or nonpareils.