Chocolate Decadence

A perfect finalé for a Valentine’s feast, this chocolate cake makes up so easily and tastes so delicious, you may soon turn to it for special occasions and everyday events alike.

It was my contribution to a Sunday-afternoon hike last fall. Our group ranged from a nine-year old with dimples to my 76-year old Dad, who more than managed to keep up. Though the sky was gray and the air brisk, the autumn leaves were at peak color, rich with russet and orange. We kept warm trekking through a park where we crossed woodland, river, prairie and marsh ecosystems in a couple of hours.

Our motto might well have been, “Eat to hike, hike to eat.” At trail’s end, we sat down to hearty split-pea soup, fresh bread with pepper-sausage, cheese and pickles, then finished with chocolate cake. We’d groaned with pleasure through the meal but the table became silent as we bit into the moist, dense cake.

As good as the recipe is as written, I wouldn’t hesitate to experiment on it a little, perhaps adding a spoonful of fruit liqueur or brandy, or maybe soaking a few dried cherries or cranberries in the liquor before folding them into the batter before baking.