Chocolate

"I was 11 years old when I started receiving Gourmet magazine," says Kristi Tursi of Essex Junction, Vermont. "I am now 15, and I’m happy to say that I've tried at least one recipe from each issue. I love to experiment with new combinations of unusual foods. Maybe that is because I enjoy science and chemistry, or perhaps I just love eating delicious yummies! But this year, on my mom's birthday, I tried something cool: cherry chocolate chippers. These cookies are not as dramatic as my chicken mango tango, but they're quite a treat. Everyone at the party liked them so much that I spent part of the evening jotting down the recipe. So I decided to share it with everyone ... by way of Gourmet."

In this show-stopping dessert, moist chocolate cake is layered with a luxurious combination of rich chocolate glaze and raspberry whipped cream.

This homespun dessert features a cinnamon-scented cake with a ribbon of chocolate cake running through it.

The following is a variation of a wonderful Viennese cake called a Rehrücken, or "saddle of venison" (so named because of the shape of the pan used to bake it in-not, fortunately, because of its flavor). Almonds make a good substitute for the hazelnuts.

The bûche de Noël, or Christmas log, was created in the late nineteenth century by Parisian pastry chefs, who were inspired by the real logs that burned on hearths throughout the night on Christmas Eve. Our version can be decorated with Candied Cranberries or fresh currants.

This tart will satisfy any chocolate lover. To make the chocolate curls, briefly microwave a 12-ounce block of bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened) until it's just slightly softened. Pull the blade of a heavy large knife across the surface to form curls.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

These thick, chewy brownies have a peanut-butter base and a chocolaty top.

There is something so simple and satisfying about a marble cake. No wonder it's a favorite in Jewish kitchens. Moister than a pound cake, richer than a quick bread, this is the perfect sweet to have around over the weekend. For a vanilla marble cake, substitute a cup of water for the orange juice and omit the orange zest.

Two toppings — one mint, one chocolate — accent these luscious treats. Serve them with your choice of fresh fruit. Wrap the brownies in foil, and pack the fruit in an airtight plastic container.