{"id":"e96b09a7-4110-4f8f-81ef-d7a91f66a2ab","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/e96b09a7-4110-4f8f-81ef-d7a91f66a2ab","source_url":"https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-chocolate-cake","title":"Easy chocolate cake","description":"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","servings":14,"servings_text":"14 servings","prep_time":"PT35M","cook_time":"PT20M","total_time":"PT55M","ingredients":[{"text":"200g golden caster sugar","item":"golden caster sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g"},{"text":"200g unsalted butter softened plus extra for the tins","item":"unsalted butter softened plus extra for the tins","quantity":200,"unit":"g"},{"text":"4 large eggs","item":"large eggs","quantity":4},{"text":"200g self-raising flour","item":"self-raising flour","quantity":200,"unit":"g"},{"text":"2 tbsp cocoa powder","item":"cocoa powder","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"1 tsp baking powder","item":"baking powder","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"½ tsp vanilla extract","item":"vanilla extract","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"2 tbsp milk","item":"milk","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"100g milk chocolate chopped","item":"milk chocolate chopped","quantity":100,"unit":"g"},{"text":"200g butter softened","item":"butter softened","quantity":200,"unit":"g"},{"text":"400g icing sugar","item":"icing sugar","quantity":400,"unit":"g"},{"text":"5 tbsp cocoa powder","item":"cocoa powder","quantity":5,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"2 tbsp milk","item":"milk","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"50g dark chocolate","item":"dark chocolate","quantity":50,"unit":"g"},{"text":"25g milk chocolate","item":"milk chocolate","quantity":25,"unit":"g"},{"text":"25g white chocolate","item":"white chocolate","quantity":25,"unit":"g"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"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."},{"number":2,"text":"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."},{"number":3,"text":"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."},{"number":4,"text":"Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely."},{"number":5,"text":"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."},{"number":6,"text":"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."},{"number":7,"text":"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."},{"number":8,"text":"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."},{"number":9,"text":"To make chocolate shards: melt 50g dark chocolate and pour it onto a tray lined with baking parchment or foil."},{"number":10,"text":"Now melt 25g milk chocolate and 25g white chocolate and drizzle them over the dark chocolate before it sets."},{"number":11,"text":"Shake the tray gently to level the mixture then leave to set somewhere cool. Chop into shards."}],"date_published":"2026-10-30T23:15:27.042462+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-30T23:15:27.042462+00:00"}