Chocolate Butter Cake

Well, this is my last baking for year 2009! This is a simple yet delicious chocolate butter cake for my colleague whose birthday is on 1 Jan 2010.

I’ve used some colorful sprinkles and smarties for decoration. I love the color; they look so beautiful and so tempting to me! Hehe...

Ingredients

120g unsweetened chocolate, chopped

28g unsweetened cocoa powder

240ml boiling water

315g plain flour

2tsp baking powder

1tsp baking soda

1/4tsp salt

226g unsalted butter, room temperature

400g castor sugar

3 eggs

240ml milk

Frosting

140g unsweetened chocolate, chopped

80ml milk

113g unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces

440g icing sugar

What to do

(1) In a heatproof bowl, place the chopped unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder. Pour the boiling water over the chocolate and cocoa powder and stir until they have melted. Set aside to cool while you make the batter.

(2) In a separate bowl, whisk to combine, the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

(3) In the bowl of your electric mixer, cream the butter. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy. Add in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the melted chocolate mixture and beat to combine.

(4) Add the milk and flour mixtures in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat only until the ingredients are incorporated.

(5) Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for about 35 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Cool the cakes completely before frosting.

Frosting

(1) Melt the chopped chocolate in a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool.

(2) Place the melted chocolate, milk and icing sugar in the bowl.

(3) Add the pieces of softened butter and beat on low speed for about 2 minutes. When the frosting starts to come together increase the speed to medium and beat for about 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth.

(4) Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting for 1 - 2 minutes more or until it is of spreading consistency. If necessary, add more milk or sugar.