The BEST, Tasty Chocolate Cake.

Our Incredibly Tasty Chocolate Cake Recipe is so, so good. It's the perfect cake to serve at any special occasion. The rich, moist sponge is triple layered with a beautiful fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting. We're sure you're going to love it.

This cake has triumphed at birthday parties and easter celebrations. It's still good a couple of days after baking so you can make it in advance if you plan to serve it at a party. Wow guests at a dinner party or treat a loved one to a super special birthday cake they'll be talking about for years to come with this delicious recipe. It's so, so tasty.

Tools required;

• 3 x 7" cake tins
• Icing smoother (Not essential but will create a smoother finish)
• #789 Wilton nozzle & piping bag (Not essential but will help with applying the buttercream for the final layer)

Cake Ingredients;

• 260g Plain flour
• 410g Sugar
• 85g Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 2 Tsp Bicarbonate of soda (NOT powder)
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 240ml Buttermilk **
• 240ml Vegetable oil
• 1.5 Tsp Vanilla extract
• 240ml Hot water

Frosting;

• 500g Unsalted butter
• 1000g Icing sugar - Sieved
• 2 Tsp Vanilla extract
• 60ml Milk or water
• 115g Cocoa Powder - Sieved

** If you can't find buttermilk it's easy to make your own! Take 250ml full fat or semi skimmed milk and add 15ml of lemon juice or white wine vinegar. Leave for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.

NOTE - The chocolate mix is similar to a batter. Once poured into the cake tin put it in the oven quickly to avoid seepage through the tin. If you find it is leaking, don't worry, place a flat tray beneath the cake tin to catch drips during the first stage of cooking.

Method;

1. Take a piece of greaseproof baking paper & draw around the base of the 7 inch cake tin. Cut out the circles & line the base of the tin. Grease the sides and preheat oven to 150°C.
2. Mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl using a whisk, this brings any sugar/flour clumps to the top! 
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and mix well
4. Finally add the boiling water to the mixture & stir to combine well.
5. Divide batter evenly between cakes pans. You can weigh to get equal portions. 
6. Bake for 30 - 32 minutes. Don’t be tempted to open the oven door during baking as this will cause the cake to sink. A skewer should come out with a slight crumb attached.
7. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. 
8. Once cooled a little, carefully remove the cake from the tin and allow cakes to cool on a cooling rack.

1. Beat the butter until very soft and pale.
2. Add half the icing sugar to the butter. Beat until smooth.
3. Now add the vanilla extract and half of the water or milk. Beat until combined.
4. Add the remaining icing sugar a little at a time followed by the cocoa then continue to beat until light and fluffy. 
5. If you need to, add more milk/water until the frosting reaches the right consistency for you to work with.

Layer The Cake;

1. The cakes must have level tops to stack neatly, if you have a domed top, carefully remove the rounded top using a sharp, serrated knife. 
2. Place first layer of cake on a cake plate/turntable. Spread about half a cup of frosting on top in an even layer.
3. Add second cake followed by another half cup of frosting on top. Spread evenly before adding the third layer on top. 
4. Now add frosting to the outside of the cake, this is known as the crumb layer. There will be crumbs in the frosting, don’t worry as we’ll add a second, finishing layer to the cake.
5. Place in the fridge for 30 mins to allow the crumb layer to firm up a little (not necessary but really helps when smoothing the final layer) 
6. Now add the final frosting layer. It’s good to use a large 16 inch piping bag and Wilton #789 nozzle to apply the frosting to the cake. To finish, use an icing smoother, this will create a lovely smooth finish on the buttercream. 
7. Decorate as you wish. 

Recipe inspired from lifeloveandsugar.com

For more lovely cake recipes our Unbelievably Tasty Lemon & Elderflower Cake with Mascarpone Icing is delicious and worth a try. Find the recipe here.