Chocolate sponge cake

Method

• step 1

  Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter and line 2 x 18cm tins with baking parchment.

• step 2

  Use a handheld electric whisk or a freestanding mixer to beat 175g softened unsalted butter and 175g golden caster sugar together in a bowl until creamy and light in colour. Then add 1 large egg, still mixing.

• step 3

  Sieve 50g cocoa powder, 100g self-raising flour and a pinch of salt into another bowl and add a third of that to your wet ingredients.

• step 4

  Once combined, add 1 more large egg and another third of the flour mixture and work that in.

• step 5

  Then add 1 more large egg and the remaining flour and beat until you have a smooth thick batter. If the batter is stiff, stir in a splash of milk to loosen it.

• step 6

  Divide the mixture between the tins and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.

• step 7

  Bake for 20-25 mins until springy to the touch. Take out of the oven and leave in the tins for 10 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

• step 8

  Meanwhile, make the buttercream by melting 50g dark or milk chocolate in the microwave, or in a bowl over just simmering water, making sure the base doesn’t touch the water. Leave to cool.

• step 9

  Beat 85g softened unsalted butter and half of the 175g sieved icing sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the remaining icing sugar and melted chocolate and mix together. If the icing is runny, chill in the fridge until it is firm but still spreadable.

• step 10

  To assemble the cake, put a small dollop of icing onto a plate and put one of the cakes on top. Spread the top of the cake with half the icing, leaving a 1cm border around the edge.

• step 11

  Put the second cake on top and push down very gently. Spread the remaining icing over the top.