Rich chocolate cake

This is a recipe that I have had for a long time. It is a very rich cake so if you bake it make sure you have plenty of people to share it with.

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 and 3/4 cups all purpose/plain flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup boiling water

Sieve all the dry ingredients into a large bowl.

Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla and beat with an electric whisk on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the boiling water and pour into 2 x 9" x 1 1/2" pans or a rectangular tin approximately 13" x 9" x 2".

Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 35 to 40 minutes. For America this is 400 degrees Fahrenheit or gas mark number 6.

For the buttercream icing you need:

• 6 tablespoons margarine (softened)
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 2 and 2/3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream the margarine, add the cocoa and sugar. Pour in the milk and beat to a spreading consistency. You may need some additional milk.

Spread over the cake and invite a few friends for coffee and cake. It is also good with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!