Master the chocolate cake with an airy, light sponge and rich buttercream filling. It's simple enough for an afternoon tea but special enough for a party too

• Preparation and cooking time
  • Prep:35 mins
  • Cook:20 mins
• Easy
• Serves 12 – 14

• Freezable (sponges only)
• Vegetarian

Ingredients

For the cake

• 200g golden caster sugar
• 200g unsalted butter, softened plus extra for the tins
• 4 large eggs
• 200g self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk

For the buttercream

• 100g milk chocolate, chopped
• 200g butter, softened
• 400g icing sugar
• 5 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp milk

For the chocolate shards (optional)

• 50g dark chocolate
• 25g milk chocolate
• 25g white chocolate

Method

• STEP 1

  Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter the base and sides of two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment.

• STEP 2

  In a large bowl, beat together 200g golden caster sugar, 200g softened unsalted butter, 4 large eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp milk and a pinch of salt until pale.

• STEP 3

  Divide the mixture between the prepared tins. Bake for 20 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

• STEP 4

  Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

• STEP 5

  For the buttercream, put 100g chopped milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave, stirring every 30 secs. Leave the melted chocolate to cool for 5 mins.

• STEP 6

  Mash 200g softened butter and 400g icing sugar together with a fork, then switch to a wooden spoon or electric beaters, if you have them.

• STEP 7

  Sift in 5 tbsp cocoa powder with a pinch of salt and pour in the melted chocolate and 2 tbsp milk. Mix again until smooth.

• STEP 8

  On a cake stand or large plate, sandwich the cakes together with half of the buttercream, then spread the rest on top. Decorate with chocolate shards, if you like.

• STEP 9

  To make chocolate shards: melt 50g dark chocolate and pour it onto a tray lined with baking parchment or foil.

• STEP 10

  Now melt 25g milk chocolate and 25g white chocolate and drizzle them over the dark chocolate before it sets.

• STEP 11

  Shake the tray gently to level the mixture then leave to set somewhere cool. Chop into shards.