FLEUR DE SEL & STRAWBERRY DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE - HALLOWEEN EDITION

For a more refined version of gorging yourself on candy on Halloween or at a glam Halloween dinner party this fleur de sel & strawberry dark chocolate cake with dark chocolate glaze hits the mark.  It is sinful, sweet, salty, and above all a little creepy.  The Grand Marnier strawberry compote oozing out between two layers of moist dark chocolate cake looks a bit akin to blood, but begs to be had seconds of. Try this and these candy apples for a refined Halloween dessert bar.
Ingredients:
For the Grand Marnier Strawberry Compote:

• 3 cups, hulled and diced strawberries
• juice from 1 large lemon or 2 smaller lemons
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoons Grand Marnier
• fleur de sel for garnish

For the Dark Chocolate Cake I used this recipe from Martha Stewart
For the Dark Chocolate Glaze I used this recipe from Food and Wine.

1. To make the compote, mix the strawberries, lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium low heat.  Heat until mixture starts to boil and reduce to a low simmer until mixture thickens.
2. Remove from heat and let cool.  Add the Grand Marnier and mix.
3. To assemble the cake, place one layer on a cake stand.  Spoon the strawberry compote on top, letting it drip down the sides and ooze out onto the plate.
4. Place the second layer on top of the compote layer.  Drizzle the dark chocolate glaze over top, letting it drip down the edges.  As you can see from the pictures, I went a little overboard with the chocolate, letting it pool on the cake plate.  
5. Sprinkle with fleur de sel and enjoy!

For more Halloween recipes, cocktails, and decor ideas, click here.