Simple Chocolate Cake

*This cake is simple to make. There is no need for icing because it has a rich filling.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8):

200g self-rising flour

140g unsalted (sweet) butter or margarine, softened

130g brown sugar

110g plain (semisweet) chocolate, chopped into small pieces

15ml cocoa powder

3 tbsp milk

3 eggs

1 quantity chocolate butter cream

Methods:

1. Preheat oven to 180 C.

2. Grease two sandwich cake pans with 7 in round and line the bases with baking parchment.

3. Select a small pan and a heatproof bowl that will fit over it. Place the chocolate and milk in the bowl. In the pan bring some water below simmering point. Place the bowl containing the chocolate mixture on top. Leave for about 5 minutes, until the chocolate softens, then stir the chocolate until smooth. Leave the bowl set over the pan, but remove from the heat.

4. Cream the butter or margarine with sugar in a mixing bowl until pale and fluffy.

5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the chocolate mixture until well combined.

6. Sift the flour and cocoa over the mixture and fold in with a spoon until evenly mixed.

7. Scrape into the prepared tins, smooth level and bake for 35-40 minutes or until well risen and firm. Turn out on to wire racks to cool.

8. Sandwich the cake layers together with a thick layer of chocolate butter cream. Dust with icing sugar and cocoa before serving, if liked.