CHOCOLATE-BLACKBERRY TORTE Berries and bourbon are a winning combination in this classy Southern-style cake. Pureed blackberries create an extra-moist cake, which is layered with sweet preserves and frosted with bourbon-spiked whipping cream. Nonstick cooking spray 2 1/2 cups fresh blackberries or frozen blackberries, thawed 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 3/4 cup unsweetened European-style cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 2/3 cup cooking oil 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 1/2 cups blackberry jam Bourbon Sweet Cream (recipe follows) Fresh blackberries (optional) Mint sprigs (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two 9 x x-inch round baking pans or 9-inch springform pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottoms with waxed paper or parchment; lightly coat paper with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Place 2 1/2 cups blackberries in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Strain berries through a fine mesh sieve (you should have about 1 cup puree); discard seeds. Set puree aside.

Stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture; set aside. Whisk together the berry puree, buttermilk, cooking oil, vinegar, and vanilla in a medium bowl. And all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened. Divide batter between the prepared pans.

Bake in the preheated oven about 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; remove waxed paper or parchment. Cool completely on wire racks.

To assemble, using a sharp or serrated knife, carefully slice each cake layer in half horizontally, making four layers. Place the first layer on a large serving plate. Spread 1/2 cup jam on top of the cake layer. Repeat with two cake layers and remaining jam. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with Bourbon Sweet Cream. Chill up to 2 hours before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh blackberries and mint sprigs.

Makes 12 servings.

BOURBON SWEET CREAM: Combine 2 cups whipping cream and 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey in a chilled medium mixing bowl. Beat with chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Add 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Makes about 4 cups.

NOTE: You probably have only one springform pan. To use for this recipe, place half the batter in the pan and bake as above. Place remaining half of batter, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

1 Serving: Calories: 681, Fat: 28g (Saturated: 11g), Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 454mg, Carbohydrate: 98g, Protein: 6g.

[Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications, Simply Perfect Desserts]