Emeril's Chocolate Bundt Cake

June 7, 2002 -- Emeril said his Chocolate Bundt Cakes with Peanut Butter Filling and Chocolate Glaze are like "mini-versions of heaven, filled with chocolate and peanut butter."

The mini bundt pans used for the recipe are fun because they make perfect individual servings, and there is no need for sharing.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 2 cups bleached all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• Pinch of salt

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 cup plus 6 tablespoons milk

• 2 cups peanut butter chips

Ingredients for Glaze:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 12 individual 1-cup bundt pans with 2 tablespoons of the butter.

2. Into a small mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the remaining butter and the granulated sugar using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment set on medium speed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla and beat to mix. Add the flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with the 1 cup of milk, beating until everything is incorporated.

4. Fill each tin with 1/4 cup of the batter. Place some of the peanut butter chips in the center of the batter in each cup, then pour in the remaining batter to fill the tins. Bake until the cakes set, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 5 minutes, on wire racks, then flip out of the tins and cool for 5 minutes more.

For the Glaze: In a small mixing bowl, combine the cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar, and as much of the remaining milk as needed to whisk into a smooth glaze. Set the cakes on a wire rack and spoon equal amounts of the glaze over them. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Yield: 12 individual cakes

Mixed Berry Coulis

(Emeril drizzled this on the plate that he placed the bundt cakes on).

Ingredients:

•1 cup raspberries • 1 cup strawberries • 3/4 cup Simple Syrup (recipe follows) •1 and 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

1. Bring the berries, syrup, and lemon juice to a simmer in a heavy medium, saucepan over low heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until berries are very soft, about 10 minutes.

2. Sprinkle the cornstarch over 2 teaspoons cold water and stir to dissolve. Pour into the simmering raspberry mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.

3. Strain through a fine-wire mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard the seeds. Cool completely and then cover and refrigerate until ready to use. (Freeze and leftover coulis in a plastic container for up to one month.)

Simple Syrup Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar • 2 cups water

Directions:

1. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium heavy suacepan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool completely.

2. Transfer to airtight container. Refrigerate until completely chilled at least 4 hours.

Excerpted from Every Day's A Party Cookbook by Emeril Lagasse, © 2001.