3/4 c. dried currants
3 tbsp. coganc
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/8 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. half & half
1 tsp. vanilla
5 oz. extra-bittersweet chocolate
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. butter, room temperature
1 c. sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
Powdered sugar
Semi-sweet chocolate, curl for garnish

(See also: Cognac Glaze.) Heat currants and Cognac in small saucepan until just warm. Cover mixture and let stand 1 hour. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Butter 6-cup fluted tube cake pan or 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. (Line loaf pan with waxed paper; butter paper.) Dust pan with flour. Sift 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into medium bowl. Drain soaking liquid from currants into chocolate and 2 tablespoons flour in small bowl. Using electric mixer, cream butter in large bowl. Add 1 cup sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Mix flour and half and half mixtures alternately into butter, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Using spatula, fold in chocolate mixture. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake cake until center is springy to touch, about 1 hour. Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife around cake. Invert onto rack. Peel off paper and cool cake completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or spread glaze over top, allowing some to drip down sides. Garnish with chocolate curls. Serves 8.