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I confess I have been using this same sponge recipe with it’s rich chocolate butter icing for years now so it’s truly tried and tested. The original recipe came from the mother of one of my former boyfriends and although the boyfriend is gone this chocolate cake and I are meant for each other. I cannot recount a time I’ve made this cake without several immediate requests for the recipe from friends and colleagues, which I’ve always found a little strange given it’s closeness to every other basic sponge recipe out there, but honestly there’s just something about it’s lightness in taste and texture that never fails. Thanks Di.
Light chocolate sponge cake
(makes one large cake or approximately a dozen medium size cup cakes)
6ozs Self raising flour
6ozs Caster sugar
6ozs softened Butter
1 level teaspoon Cocoa powder (I personally love the green & blacks version)
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking powder
3 eggs (whisked together in mug or bowl)
2 tablespoons warm water
Make as you would a normal sponge (with or without blender). Just cream together the butter and sugar, and then add in the eggs a little at a time. Sift in the flour with the baking powder added, again bit-by-bit is best, and stir using a folding motion to keep it airy. Finally sift in the cocoa powder and warm water, mix well and scoop the mixture (which is always missing a finger full by this point) into your chosen baking dish – I’m all for the fabulous non-stick silicone molds now available in all shapes & sizes.
Bake your cake (or cakes) on a middle oven shelf for 30 minutes at 160C/325F (Gas Mark 3)
Rich chocolate butter icing
(pardon the pun, but this really is the icing on the cake, it’s indulgent, but just not the same without it)
2ozs softened butter
4ozs icing sugar (sifted)
1 heaped teaspoon Cocoa powder
1-2 teaspoon warm water
As above really, cream butter with icing sugar and cocoa and when the mixing gets tough just add in a little hot water.
Spread on, in or (as in the above photo) pipe into to your cupcakes! – Lorna
Mel - Looks great Lorna. I’m so glad you posted this, now I won’t need to bother you every time I want to make it but have managed to lose the recipe again!