Scrumptious and Simple to Make Chocolate Cake

I have a keen interest in healthy living and looking after yourself to spare the horses and make our bodies and minds last a lifetime in as good a condition as possible and I subscribe to the idea that within reason we can,  without guilt indulge, within reason and enjoy a tasty treat. So here goes.

Ingredients

For the cake you will need 225g plain flour, 350g caster sugar, 85g cocoa powder, 1½ tsp baking powder, 1½ tsp bicarbonate of soda, 2 free-range eggs, 250ml milk, 125ml vegetable oil, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 250ml boiling water. Also, for the chocolate icing, you will need 200g plain chocolate and 200ml double cream

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 and grease and line two 20cm sandwich tins. 
•   Place all of the cake ingredients, except the boiling water, into a large mixing bowl. Beat the mixture until smooth and well combined (with a wooden spoon, or electric whisk).
• Add the boiling water to the mixture, a little at a time, until smooth. (The cake mixture should now be very liquid.)
• Divide the mixture between the sandwich tins and bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
• Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool completely, still in their tins, before icing.
• For the chocolate icing, heat the chocolate and cream in a saucepan over a low heat until the chocolate melts. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk the mixture until smooth, glossy and thickened. Set aside to cool for 1-2 hours or until thick enough to spread over the cake.
• To assemble the cake, run a round-bladed knife around the inside of the cake tins to loosen the cakes. Carefully remove the cakes from the tins.
• Spread a little chocolate icing over the top of one of the chocolate cakes, then carefully top with the other cake, transfer it to a serving plate and ice all over with the chocolate icing, using a palette knife.

Enjoy before evening with your afternoon tea or coffee at the latest, have a light supper and walk or exercise a little more.  Also, make sure you share it around. For it is nice to share and because it fulfils an important function i.e. you will not be able to snack on the rest later.