CHOCOLATE SYRUP CAKE

Responding to a reader's request, Linda Cicero of The Miami Herald found this cake recipe, which she calls a "chocolate lover's dream come true." It's our third look at what food editors around the country are doing.

Ingredients

1 stick butter or margarine, room temperature

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

teaspoon salt

16 oz. chocolate syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

TOPPING:

1 cup sugar

½ stick butter

½ cup milk

1 ½ cup chocolate chips

½ cup chopped nuts, coconut or miniature marshmallows (optional)

Directions

Cut butter into pieces and place in large bowl of electric mixer with the sugar. Cream for 2 minutes, until sugar grains are dissolved. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with the chocolate syrup.

Add vanilla, mix well, and pour into greased and floured 9-by-13-inch cake pan. Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Allow to cool 10 minutes on wire rack while preparing the topping: Measure the sugar and butter into a medium saucepan. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil 2 ½ minutes, then stir in chocolate chips until melted. Pour over cake while it is still warm. Sprinkle optional ingredients on top if desired.

Makes 24 servings.