Chocolate Cake w/hint of Raspberry

(Did I mention I broke my camera? Using an older camera, and couldn't get it to focus. Pictures might be sketchy until I get a new camera for Christmas, a hint to anyone who might be reading.)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two nine inch round pans.
Mix sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. (If using mixer, beat on medium about 2 min.) Stir in boiling water. Pour into large greased & floured bundt pan. Be careful not to overfill.

Bake at 350 degrees approximately 35 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Invert onto plate or wire rack after cooling 10 minutes. When cooled to room temperature or slightly warmer, add toppings:

Raspberry glaze:
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
2 tablespoons apple juice
1/2 teaspoon rum extract

Frosting:
2 squares baking chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Brush over cake. Let stand for 10 minutes or until set.

Place chocolate in glass baking pan. Heat gently in microwave 10 seconds, and 5 seconds thereafter until melted. Do not overheat. Stir in cream. Cook 40 more seconds and stir or until thickened. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Let stand until set. Top with fresh raspberries if desired.

5 minute Chocolate Cake?

A friend shared a recipe for a 5 minute chocolate cake. I searched the internet looking for where it originated and couldn't find the source. I tweaked it a bit and it wasn't half bad. Now when I'm packing lunches in the morning and find I don't have a dessert, voila! Chocolate cake.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE CAKE in a mug

1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 TBS cocoa (unsweetened)
1 egg white or 2 TBS egg beaters
3 TBS milk
3 TBS oil (butter would work, & I may try cutting down on this amount, but I also don't want it to stick in the coffee cup.)
2-3 TBS chocolate chips (optional)
1/8 tsp vanilla

Add dry ingredients to a large mug, and mix well. Mix in egg, oil, vanilla, & milk. Stir in chocolate chips.

Microwave on high 3 minutes (best if using 1000 watt microwave.) The cake might rise over the top of the mug, especially if not using a large mug. Grab a fork and enjoy, or turn mug upside down, place on plate and share with a friend or two.

Chocolate Chip Date Cake

Chocolate Chip Date Cake is a recipe given to me by my mother-in-law. Because it lacks icing, it is not overly sweet. But it is delicious! (I did make a few changes to adjust to altitude, etc.)

1 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup Crisco
1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 cup flour*
1/2 tsp. baking soda*
1/4 tsp salt*
*dry ingredients

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
sugar (about 1 TBS)

Date Mixture:
Do this step first to allow cooling while rest of ingredients are assembled

1 1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup cut-up dates
1 tsp. baking soda
add dates and soda to boiling water

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs & vanilla. Alternately add dry ingredients and date/water mixture. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Top with 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup nuts and sprinle sugar over all.

Bake 25-30 minutes in 350` degrees F oven