Chocolate Birthday Cake

Method

• step 1

  preheat oven to 180c/gas 4.grease and line two 23cm cake tins with baking paper

• step 2

  use the first set of ingredients to make the cake. in a bowl add the sugar, flour, cocoa,bicarb, baking powder and salt followed by the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.mix with electric whisk for around 3 minutes.

• step 3

  stir in boiling water, adding a bit at a time

• step 4

  pour even amounts into the two prepared tins

• step 5

  bake the cakes for around 30-35 mins until the skewer comes out clean.leave the cakes to cool, before removing from the tins and taking off the baking paper and leave to completely cool before icing

• step 6

  use the second set of ingredients. cream the butter until fluffy then alternately sieve the icing sugar and cocoa powder with the milk and the vanilla.stir into your desired consistancy (thick enough to spread easily with a spatula)

• step 7

  spread the icing on the top of one of the cakes then stack the other one on top of it, then ice the top and around then edge of the cake.