How to make an easy chocolate cake

Make the cake:

1. In a large bowl, beat together 200g golden caster sugar, 200g butter, 4 eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp milk.
2. Split the mixture between two lined 20cm cake tins.
3. Bake for 20 mins at 190C/170C fan/gas 5.

Make the chocolate buttercream icing:

1. Mash together 200g butter and 400g icing sugar using a fork, then beat with a whisk until fully combined.
2. Sift in 5 tbsp cocoa powder and add 100g melted milk chocolate and 2 tbsp milk. Beat together.

Layer and decorate your cake:

1. Sandwich the cakes together with a layer of buttercream icing in between.
2. Spread the rest of the icing on top with a palette knife. Decorate with chocolate shards, if you like.