Mini Chocolate Raspberry Cakes

Name: Mini Chocolate Raspberry Cakes
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 2 eggs; 1 cup sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup canola oil; 1/2 teaspoon raspberry extract; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup baking cocoa; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; RASPBERRY SAUCE:; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 cups fresh raspberries; 1/4 cup water; TOPPING:; 1 cup vanilla ice cream; 1 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed; Chopped pecans and additional fresh raspberries, optional

Instead of making individual hot fudge sundaes for guests, make these cute little cakes! Raspberry and chocolate always pair well. I like to stir 1/2 cup raspberries directly into the sauce, but you can also use them as a garnish.—Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia

Ingredients

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon raspberry extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
RASPBERRY SAUCE:
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups fresh raspberries
1/4 cup water
TOPPING:
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
Chopped pecans and additional fresh raspberries, optional

Directions

In a bowl, beat the egg, sugar, water, oil and extracts until well blended. In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended.
Pour into four 4-in. fluted tube pans or 6-oz. ramekins coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to a wire rack to cool completely.
For raspberry sauce, in a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in raspberries and water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Press through a sieve; discard seeds.
Scoop ice cream into cake centers. Drizzle with ice cream topping and raspberry sauce; sprinkle with pecans and additional raspberries if desired.