Chocolate Orange Cake

Step 1

Pre-heat your oven to 160C Fan/180C/350F/Gas Mark 4, and grease and line two 8" cake tins

Step 2

Make the sponge by mixing the butter and caster sugar in a large bowl with a spoon until fluffy, or mix using an electric mixer

Step 3

Add the eggs, orange extract and milk, and whisk until fully incorporated

Step 4

Add the self raising flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and whisk in until you can't see any flour anymore

Step 5

Divide the mixture between the tins, use scales for accuracy

Step 6

Bake them for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave them to fully cool either in the tins or remove from the tin and place on cooling racks

Step 7

To make the chocolate buttercream mix the butter, cocoa powder and icing sugar together. Once it starts to come together add the orange extract and milk and mix until smooth. I use my electric hand whisk to do this but you can also do it by hand with a spoon

Step 8

If the cakes have domed on top, level them off with a cake leveller or a serrated knife

Step 9

Put one of the sponges on your plate or cake stand and pipe or spread some of the buttercream onto it

Step 10

Add the other sponge on top and pipe or spread the remaining buttercream on top

Step 11

Decorate with the Terry's Chocolate Orange pieces, and orange sprinkles if using

Step 12

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for 2-3 days