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1
Grease a 13X9 inch cake pan.
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2
Line with wax paper or parchment paper.
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3
Set aside.
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4
Sift together flour, cocoa and salt; set aside.
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5
In large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy.
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6
Gradually beat in 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat until stiff peaks forms; set aside.
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7
In large bowl, beat egg yolks and remaining sugar at high speed until very light and lemon-coloured, about 6 minutes.
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8
Stir in water and vanilla.
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9
Sift dry ingredients over surface of yolk mixture; whisk together gently.
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10
Scrape over egg whites and fold together.
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11
Spread evenly in prepared pan.
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12
Bake in 375 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until cake sprigs back when lightly touched.
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13
Cool pan on rack.
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14
(Make cake up to 8 hours ahead and wrap well to prevent it from drying out.)
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15
Invert on cutting board; peel off paper.
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16
Using heart shaped cookie cutters of various shapes, cut out hearts, leaving as little space as possible between hearts.
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17
(Eat the scraps or freeze in freezer bags for crumble, chocolate pudding or chocolate trifle.)
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18
Using sieve, shake icing (powdered) sugar over hearts; arrange on serving plates.
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19
Pool raspberry and chocolate sauces around the hearts and garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves.
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20
EASY RASPBERRY SAUCE: Thaw 1 package of raspberries in light syrup; place in blender.
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21
Cover and puree until smooth.
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22
Strain though sieve to remove seeds.
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23
Transfer puree to small saucepan; stir in 1 tablespoon cornstarch and cook over medium heat until thickened and clear; stirring often.
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24
Transfer to a storage container; cover surface with plastic wrap.
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25
Transfer to a refrigerator to chill.
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26
(Sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in refrigerator).
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27
CHOCOLATE SAUCE: In medium saucepan, whisk together granulated sugar and cocoa.
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28
Gradually whisk in 1 cup water.
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29
Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until boiling .
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30
Reduce heat and boil gently 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
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31
Let cool; stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
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32
Transfer to storage container and refrigerate up to several days.
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33
MAKES: 1 3/4 CUPS