Chocolate-Espresso Torte with Raspberry Sauce

1. Butter and flour an 8-inch cheese-cake pan.

2. In a 3- to 4-quart pan over low heat, frequently stir chocolate, 1 1/2 cups butter, espresso, and 3/4 cup sugar just until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, 12 to 15 minutes.

3. In a bowl, beat eggs to blend. Whisk in chocolate mixture until well blended. Pour into cheesecake pan.

4. Bake torte in a 350 degree regular or convection oven until center barely jiggles when pan is gently shaken, about 40 minutes. Let cool on a rack for 30 minutes (center of torte will sink), then chill until cold, at least 1 1/2 hours.

5. Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, whirl 1 quart raspberries until smooth. Rub puree through a fine strainer into a bowl; discard seeds. Stir 1/4 cup sugar into raspberry puree; taste, and add more sugar if desired.

6. Spoon raspberry sauce equally onto plates. Run a knife between torte and pan rim; remove rim. Cut torte into wedges. Arrange a wedge on sauce on each plate. Scatter remaining 1 cup raspberries and marionberries over desserts, and garnish with mint sprigs.

NOTES

If you don't have an espresso machine, buy prepared espresso from a coffee shop or use strong brewed coffee: Pour 3/4 cup hot (about 195 degrees) water through 1/3 cup ground coffee in a filter cone.

If making torte and sauce up to 1 day ahead, chill separately airtight. Serve with scoops of lemon sherbet.

Reprinted with permission of Sunset(R) magazine. All rights reserved.