Cocoa

We used waxed candy/muffin liners for these cupcakes, which kept them from sticking and helped them develop attractive domed tops. (Spraying your muffin tins will keep them from sticking but tends to result in flat-topped cupcakes.) The liners are available by mail order from Sweet Celebrations, (800) 328-6722. They are not always well labeled; ask for item #601524 (red) or #502332 (white with gold).

Make this showstopping dessert even more stunning by garnishing it with fresh raspberries and mint sprigs.

For more information about melting chocolate, see Meltdown.

This recipe creates enough batter for a 3-quart bundt pan, but it can also be baked in smaller pans, though baking time will vary accordingly.

Sifting powdered sugar over the cooled cookies adds a festive touch. (It would also be an easy kitchen project for the kids.)

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 10 hr (includes soaking raisins)

"This is the cake I bake for most family events," writes Mary Charlotte McCall of Tallahassee, Florida. "I started making it years ago because my three new stepdaughters liked it so much. It's always a hit at big parties, club meetings and kid-related events."

This impressive dessert features two classic components: the buttery sponge cake known as genoise and the rich frosting known as ganache. Making the genoise and syrup ahead eliminates last-minute fuss. Any leftover ganache can be chilled, rolled into balls and presented as another classic: truffles.

The perennial Christmas gift gets a luscious face-lift in this impressive cake. We guarantee that it won't get shuffled around, and no one will make any jokes about it. Store the cake in the refrigerate for up to three weeks before giving. Wrap it in some red or green cellophane, and present it in a decorative box (a hatbox is fun) tied with a big, bright bow.

Rich, creamy, decadent—this could be the new benchmark for an American classic.

Offer nuts, candy sprinkles and any other sundae toppings.

This recipe originally accompanied epi:recipeLink="101009"Orange-Almond Cake with Chocolate Icing</epi:recipeLink>.

This recipe was created to for <epi:recipelink id="12414">Chocolate Ganache Tartlets with Sweet Cherries</epi:recipelink>.

A small slice of this delightfully dense chocolate cake goes a long way.