SIMPLE CHOCOLATE ICING RECIPES

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. (Do not allow the base of the bowl to touch the surface of the water.) Allow to cool until the chocolate no longer feels hot to the touch.
• Beat the butter in a bowl until soft, then gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the vanilla extract and beat again.
• Fold in the melted chocolate until completely incorporated (add a few drops of milk if the mixture is a little stiff).
• This icing can be kept in the fridge for a few days. Bring to room temperature and beat again until smooth before icing your cake.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Grease 2 x 20cm sandwich tins with a little butter and base line with baking paper. In a bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Sift in the flour, baking powder and cocoa, then lightly fold into the mixture.
• Add a little milk until you have a dropping consistency, then divide between the tins. It’s best to only fill the sandwich tins 3/4 full.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, then cool slightly. In a bowl, beat the butter and icing sugar together with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy, then fold in the melted chocolate.
• Spread some icing over 1 of the cakes, top with the other cake and the rest of the icing.