Hey, Lykkers! Learn how to make a chocolate cake with a fluffy, light sponge and creamy buttercream filling.

It's easy for afternoon tea and perfect for parties too.

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients:

- 200g golden caster sugar

- 200g unsalted butter, softened

- 4 large eggs

- 200g self-raising flour

- 2 tbsp cocoa powder

- 1 tsp baking powder

- ½ tsp vanilla extract

- 2 tbsp milk

Buttercream Ingredients:

- 100g milk chocolate, chopped

- 200g butter, softened

- 400g icing sugar

- 5 tbsp cocoa powder

- 2 tbsp milk

Chocolate Shards Ingredients (optional):

- 50g dark chocolate

- 25g milk chocolate

- 25g white chocolate

Method

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 190C. Grease the base and sides of two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment.

STEP 2: In a large bowl, mix 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 the mixture is pale and well combined.

STEP 3: Divide the cake mixture evenly between the prepared tins. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

STEP 4: Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 5: To make the buttercream, place 100g chopped milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt it in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. Let the melted chocolate cool for 5 minutes.

STEP 6: Mash together 200g softened butter and 400g icing sugar using a fork, then switch to a wooden spoon or electric beaters if available.

STEP 7: Sift in 5 tbsp cocoa powder with a pinch of salt. Pour in the cooled melted chocolate and 2 tbsp milk. Mix until smooth.

STEP 8: On a cake stand or large plate, sandwich the cooled cakes together with half of the buttercream mixture. Spread the remaining buttercream on top. If desired, decorate with chocolate shards.

STEP 9:To make chocolate shards, melt 50g dark chocolate and pour it onto a tray lined with baking parchment or foil.

STEP 10:Melt 25g milk chocolate and 25g white chocolate, and drizzle them over the dark chocolate before it sets.

STEP 11:Gently shake the tray to level the mixture, then leave it to set in a cool place. Once set, chop into shards for decoration.

Lykkers, enjoy mastering this delicious chocolate cake recipe with its fluffy sponge and creamy buttercream filling. Happy baking!