You can’t go past this fantastic chocolate cake… The traditional melt and mix cake has become Mum’s Favourite!

This is a recipe that my Mum swears by. I am not sure where she came across it but there are many versions of this very simple and elegant cake. It is the traditional melt and mix cake and it has also become the “go to” cake in my family, as it can be whipped up very quickly.

One tip I have to mention is that you must regularly buy new bicarbonate of soda. I went through a period last year where this cake just would not work and it was heartbreaking. The cake would rise beautifully as per normal, then as soon as it was taken out of the oven it would deflate leaving me with a gaping hole in the middle! After trying new flours and cocoa powder, I finally worked out that it was the bicarb.

It’s a beautifully textured cake with a lovely fudgey middle. Topped with a simple ganache (or made all fancy schmancy with cream in the middle and strawberries on top) you only need a little to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Mum’s favourite chocolate cake

what you need

for the cake

125g butter chopped

1 cup milk

1 ½ cup caster sugar

¼ cup cocoa

1 ½ cup sifted SR flour

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 eggs

what to do

1. Preheat oven to 180°c.
2. Grease and line two 20cm sponge tins with baking paper.
3. Melt the butter in a sauce pan add the milk, sugar and cocoa.  Heat until the mixture is smooth.
4. Allow to cool.
5. Sift flour and bicarbonate of soda into large bowl.  Add eggs and butter mixture.  Stir till smooth (I do this step with a whisk for a really quick and smooth batter)
6. Place in the two tins.  Cook for approximately 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
7. Cool slightly, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
8. Top with a simple ganache or fill with cream and top with fruit!