It was only 15 minutes before my dinner guests (including a chef) were due, and I dropped the finished dessert in smithereens all over the floor. In six minutes, I had a Quick Chocolate Candy Cake in the oven as a replacement, and the house smelled great when my friends arrived.

I’ve baked this moist, crunchy cake for years—it’s the “little black dress of chocolate cakes,” understated but always right. Made without flour but with fresh bread crumbs and ground nuts, it’s loosely base