In my colorful world of fabric & thread, paper & scissors, and flour & sugar, I begin dreaming of creating homemade and personalized gifts for Christmas long before the leaves begin to turn. While I do possess a few creative bones in my body, you don’t have to be “crafty” to succeed in making homemade gifts. All you need is a small dose of imagination and a willingness to try and create something nice for the special people on your Christmas list.  
Nothin’ says lovin’ than givin’ somethin’ from the oven! Baking is an activity my family and I love to do during the holidays. Many times we need to bring a dessert to share to a dinner party, and because my husband has a wheat allergy, I have a go-to Chocolate Flourless Cake recipe that everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients:
4 oz. fine quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
1 stick, (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
Âľ cup sugar
3 large eggs
½ cup unsweetened coco powder, plus extra for sprinkling
Whipped cream and berries (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F and butter an 8-inch round baking pan. Line bottom of pan with a round of wax paper; butter paper.
- Chop chocolate into small pieces. In a double boiler or a metal bowl, set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, melt chocolate with butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat; add sugar, and whisk. Add eggs and whisk again.
- Add ½ cup cocoa powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined. Pour batter into pan and for 25 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust. Be careful not to over bake. Cool cake in pan on a rack for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a plate, then flip over onto a serving plate.
- If you wish, sprinkle with additional cocoa powder, a dollop of whipped cream, and a few berries on the top before serving for a gorgeous finish.
Springfield Moms contributor Sarah Chandler is a Springfield native, wife to Jeff, and mom to Levi and Anne. She loves to be outdoors during all seasons and enjoys relaxing indoors by creating quilts and scrapbooking.
