Chocolate Raspberry Shortcakes

Directions

1. 1
   Into a bowl sift together the cocoa powder, the flour, the sugar, the baking powder, the baking soda, and the salt, add the butter, and blend the mixture until it resembles coarse meal.
2. 2
   Add the cream and stir the mixture with a fork until it forms a dough.
3. 3
   Divide the dough in half, arrange each half in a mound on a lightly greased baking sheet, and bake the shortcakes in the middle of a preheated 425F.
4. 4
   oven for 12 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the centers comes out with crumbs clinging to it.
5. 5
   Transfer the shortcakes to a rack and let them cool.
6. 6
   In a bowl mash 3/4 cup of the raspberries with a fork, stir in 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar and the framboise, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and stir in the remaining 3/4 cup raspberries.
7. 7
   In a small bowl with an electric mixer beat the cream until it holds soft peaks, add the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and beat the cream until it holds stiff peaks.
8. 8
   Carefully cut the shortcakes in half horizontally with a serrated knife and with a metal spatula transfer the bottom half of each to an individual plate.
9. 9
   (The shortcakes are delicate and crumble easily.)
10. 10
    Top each bottom half with half the raspberry mixture, divide the whipped cream between the 2 shortcakes, and with the spatula carefully top each serving with the top half of a shortcake.
11. 11
    Sprinkle the shortcakes with the confectioners' sugar and garnish the plates with the mint sprigs.