Lorna's Wicked Chocolate Cake

1. 1

   For the cake:.

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to gas mark 5/190degC/375degF.

3. 3

   Grease and flour two 8 1/2 inch round sandwich tins and line the bottom of each with greaseproof paper (baking parchment?

4. 4

   ).

5. 5

   Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and the two types of sugar into a bowl and make a well in the centre.

6. 6

   place the water, cocoa powder and butter in a small saucepan and stir over a medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth- don't allow the mixture to boil though.

7. 7

   Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

8. 8

   Add the vinegar to the cream and stir into the flour/sugar mixture.

9. 9

   Add the cocoa mixture and eggs- there should be no more cake ingredients left- and whisk together until smooth.

10. 10

    Divide the mixture equally between the two tins and bake for 20-25 minutes until until the cakes have risen and are firm but springy to the touch.

11. 11

    Remove rom the tins& place on wire racks to cool.

12. 12

    For the filling:.

13. 13

    Put the chocolate& water into a small saucepan& melt over a low heat, stirring continuously, until smooth- set this mixture aside for a moment.

14. 14

    Put the caster sugar, cream and butter into another saucepan& heat over a moderate heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring continuously until the spoon will leave a trail in the mixture.

15. 15

    Remove from the heat& stir in the chocolate mixture and the vanilla.

16. 16

    Allow to cool, stirring occasionally& then place in a fridge until cold.

17. 17

    Sandwich the two cakes together with the filling and leave on a rack over a tray.

18. 18

    To ice the cake:.

19. 19

    Put the remaining chocolate in a small saucepan with the butter and the water.

20. 20

    Heat, whilst stirring continuously, until the chocolate melts& the mixture becomes smooth and will coat the back of a spoon- do NOT overheat.

21. 21

    Pour the icing over the top of the cake and then chill until set.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.