Chocolate Cake and Brown Sugar Buttercream

Every once in a while you just need a piece of cake; not a three layer, feed an army, cream filled gateau, but a nice little snack cake.   One single layer of soft chocolate cake with a bit of sweet buttercream is the order of the day.  

Here's a recipe for one of those 'We need cake' days:

SMALL CHOCOLATE CAKE with BROWN SUGAR BUTTERCREAM

1 cup flour
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.  In a small bowl mix together the following ingredients:

1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon vinegar (optional)

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix until combined.  Then add-

1/2 cup hot coffee or very hot water

Mix for about two minutes and pour the batter into a greased square pan dusted with flour.  Bake at 350F/ 175C for about 30 minutes.   Leave the cake in the baking tin and let it cool completely before spreading it with frosting.

Brown Sugar Buttercream

1/4 cup butter or baking margarine
3 Tablespoon of soft brown sugar
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the brown sugar and butter into a mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Gradually add the icing sugar, beating well between each addition.  Finally, add the vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is light and all the sugar has dissolved.  Spread over the cooled cake.

  
Now put the kettle on, make yourself a cup of your favourite hot tipple, coffee or tea will do.  Cut the cake into generous slabs and ENJOY!