Moist and Fudgy Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients

• CHOCOLATE CAKE
• 400 g granulated sugar
• 220 g plain flour
• 85 g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 5 g baking powder
• 7 g baking soda
• 2 g salt
• 2 large eggs
• 240 ml milk
• 120 ml vegetable oil
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• 240 ml boiling water
• 10 ml vanilla extract
• CHOCOLATE FROSTING
• 3 egg yolks
• 20 g sugar
• 140 ml double cream
• 200 g dark or milk chocolate
• 140 ml double cream
• 20 g sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Grease and line two 23 cm cake tins.
3. Combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, coffee and vanilla.
5. Mix until smooth.
6. Carefully stir in the boiling water.
7. Divide the thin batter between the prepared tins.
8. Bake for approximately 30 minutes.
9. Cool in the tins for at least 10 minutes.
10. Turn the layers out and leave them to cool completely.
11. For the chocolate base, whisk the egg yolks with 20 g sugar.
12. Heat 140 ml double cream until steaming.
13. Gradually whisk the hot cream into the yolks.
14. Return to low heat and stir until slightly thickened.
15. Melt the chocolate gently.
16. Combine the melted chocolate with the custard mixture.
17. Leave the chocolate mixture to cool.
18. Whip the remaining 140 ml cream with the remaining sugar until firm.
19. Fold the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture.
20. Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
21. Spread with part of the frosting.
22. Add the second cake layer.
23. Cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
24. Chill briefly before slicing.