INDIVIDUAL CAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• To make centers, melt 2 ounces of chocolate (1/2 a baking bar) and cream in double boiler. Whisk gently to blend. Refrigerate about 2 hours, or until firm.
• Form into 6 balls; refrigerate until needed.
• To make cake, heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Spray six 4-ounce ramekins or custard cups with cooking spray.
• Melt 4 ounces of chocolate (1 baking bar) and butter in double boiler; whisk gently to blend.
• With an electric mixer, whisk eggs, yolks, sugar, and vanilla on high speed about 5 minutes, or until thick and light. Fold melted chocolate mixture and flour into egg mixture until just combined.
• Spoon cake batter into ramekins. Place a chocolate ball in the middle of each ramekin.
• Bake about 15 minutes, or until cakes are firm to the touch. Let cool for about 5 minutes.
• Run a small, sharp knife around inside of each ramekin. Place a plate on top, invert, and remove ramekin. Garnish with raspberries and a dollop of whipped cream.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and butter four 15-ounce cast-iron melting pots (or a 9-by-13-inch pan if using instead).
• Sift together the flour, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and eggs. Combine the wet and dry ingredients in one bowl and splash in the buttermilk. Stir until just combined. The mixture will be slightly lumpy.
• Pour into the prepared pots (or 9-by-13-inch pan if using) and put them on a baking sheet. Bake until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes; do not over bake. (If using a 9-by-13-inch pan, bake for 25 to 30 minutes.)
• For the icing: While the cake is baking, make the icing. Combine the sugar, buttermilk, butter, corn syrup, baking soda, vanilla and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat without stirring. Continue boiling until the icing turns a light caramel color, 5 to 7 minutes. Important: The icing should be the color of caramel, but not yet firm and sticky. It needs to be pourable.
• Remove the cakes from the oven. While they are very warm, pour the icing evenly over the tops. Work fast, as it will quickly start to soak into the cakes. Serve with ice cream if desired.