100g softened butter
350g caster sugar
2 eggs
225g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
250ml buttermilk
1tsp vanilla essence
285g icing sugar
2tsp cocoa powder
3tsp melted butter
few tbsp boiling water
oven to 180 degree or gas mark 4
line base of 2 x 22cm tins OR 3 x 18cm tins and grease the sides
put softened butter and sugar into large bowl and beat together till light and fluffy
add eggs one at a time and beat well
sieve flour,cocoa, baking powder and bicarb of soda into the butter & sugar mix and then pour into the buttermilk and add vanilla essence stirring well to create smooth dough
divide between cake tins and bake for 19-25 minutes until just set in centre
allow to sit in the tin for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack
making icing -
sieve icing sugar and cocoa powder into a bowl then beat in butter and boiling water (adding water gradually as may only need 1 or 2 tablespoons)
sandwich cakes together with layer of icing in middle then ice top of cake (dipping metal knife into hot water before and during the icing of cake to give it a shiny gloss)