Chocolate cake

A large tray of utterly delicious chocolate cake. This cake is rich, moist and perfectly chocolatey — simply excellent. I don’t think it’s much of a risk to say that many of you will try it and think, “this is exactly the chocolate cake I’ve been looking for — from now on, it’s my favourite!” Do give this recipe a try!

Ingredients for the chocolate cake:

• 120 g butter
• 1½ cups caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 110 g dark chocolate
• 260 g plain flour
• 35 g cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ cups milk

All ingredients should be at room temperature. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder, then set aside.

Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave. Leave to cool slightly (it should remain runny).

Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Slowly pour in the melted chocolate, mixing continuously. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, in a few additions, gently mixing with a whisk (not a mixer) just until combined — do not overmix.

Line a 34 × 23 cm baking tin with baking parchment. Pour in the batter and level the surface.

Bake at 165°C for about 40 minutes or longer if needed, until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven, allow to cool, then pour over the chocolate glaze. Once set, cut into squares and serve.

Ingredients for the chocolate glaze:

• 120 ml double cream
• 140 g dark chocolate, chopped

Heat the cream in a small saucepan until just below boiling, then remove from the heat. Pour over the chopped chocolate and leave for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy. If needed, strain through a sieve. Leave to cool slightly before using.

Enjoy!