CHOCOLATE TORTE WITH RASPBERRIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Line three 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; grease and flour the pans and paper. Set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small heavy saucepan, melt chips and butter over low heat. Transfer to a large bowl; cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth., For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add the preserves, sugar and liqueur; beat until stiff peaks form., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup filling. Top with another cake layer and spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with another cake layer, 1/2 cup filling and remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake., For drizzle, place chips and butter in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Place mixture in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe a lattice design over top of cake, allowing some drizzle to drape down the sides. Decorate with chocolate curls and raspberries as desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F
• Grease and flour two nine inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl beat together sugar, butter, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well blended. In another bowl mix together cocoa, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add milk and flour mixture alternately with butter and sugar mixture . Beat together until combined. Pour into cake pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. When finished baking let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan. After they have cooled for 10 minutes remove from pans and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon creme de cacao. Let cake cool completely.
• While cake is cooling prepare whipped cream filling. Add all Filling ingredients (except pie filling!) Whip until stiff.
• Cover bowl and refrigerate.
• After cakes have fully cooled. Carefully split each cake into 2 horizontal layers. Place one layer on your serving plate. (I find it easier to lay the split side down to help avoid crumbs when spreading the whipped cream mixture.) Add 1/2 the whipped cream mixture and spread until the top of the layer is covered. (Do not cover sides with whipped cream mixture) Add the next layer of cake. Split side up. (helps hold raspberry) Add about 1/2 of the can of raspberry pie filling. Spread around the top side of the layer only. (I also find it helpful to go close to the edge but not all the way , so that when the next layer goes on the raspberries aren't running down the side of the cake) Add the next layer of cake split side down. Add the remaining 1/2 of whipped cream mixture. Spread mixture the same as you did the first. Add last layer of cake split side down. Add ganache to top layer.
• Ganache.
• In a sauce pan combine chocolate (broken into pieces) Whipping cream, and butter. Cook over low heat stirring constantly, stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in creme de cacao. Let mixture cool slightly. Put mixture on the top layer.(I put it all in the center and then slowly spread it to the edges. After spreading chocolate but before the mixture cools I decoratively place the fresh raspberries on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.