Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes
From The Greyston Bakery Cookbook, Rodale Books

For the cupcakes

2-1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1-1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) red food coloring
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the frosting

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
4 cups (about a 1-pound package) confectioners' sugar

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Chai Cake
From 300 Best Chocolate Recipes, Robert Rose

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 chai spice tea bags
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/3 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Icing (optional)

1 cup packed light or medium brown sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup butter
2 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cookbook review: The Essence of Chocolate
Cookbook review: 300 Best Chocolate Recipes

By Tom Mentzer
Scripps Howard News Service
Dec. 4, 2006

Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food, a decadent indulgence ranging from crispy cookies to velvety mousse and everything in between. Two new cookbooks offer more than 400 recipes between them in an effort to satisfy an eternal sweet tooth.