All Las Vegas Cakes

When I look at this mouth-watering delicacy, I channel the title character from Dickens' "Oliver Twist" - "Please sir; I want some more." A single round tier, iced in a frothy chocolate mousse frosting, is tantalizingly edged with a generous drizzle of rich dark chocolate that delightfully flows down the side of the cake. Not only is it beautiful, it's downright tempting, at the same time. The base of the tier is edged with a hand-piped ruffle in a "combed" texture. Piled high on the surface of the cake is an overabundance of thickly-shaved dark chocolate that would sate any appetite for all that chocolate is. We all know that chocolate is no mere dessert, or sweet. Chocolate's early use by man began in approximately 1100 BC in what is now Central America. It was used to make a bitter beverage, and not until it was imported by Spain in the 16^th century. Over the next couple of centuries, experimentation and refinement led to the production of what is now one of the most favorite foods on earth. Today, it's been noted as having extremely positive health benefits, besides. There are natural chemicals in chocolate that havebeen found to lower blood pressure, elevate mood, and even boost cognitive abilities - as if we needed any other excuses to indulge! Take it from me, it will be hard to resist this stunning centerpiece! "More, Please!", indeed!