So this recipe was suggested to me by my Gran - she used it when she was a young mom and
always had parties to go to.  People always used to say to bring this cake with her - her trusty square chocolate cake recipe.

It was a yummy cake, although I think I left it in the oven a smidgen too long as it was a bit dry but that is my fault.  The icing was amazing and complimented the cake.  The only thing I would change would be to make two layers as the middle layer of icing would just make it perfect.

Ingredients

4 oz butter
6 oz flour
6 oz sugar
2 tspn baking powder
3/4 cup milk
pinch salt
1/2 tspn vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 tablespoons cocoa

Put all the ingredients into a bowl and beat well for 3 minutes.  Pour into a square, greased tin (8" x 8" or 20cm x 20cm) and bake at 180 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes.

Velvet Frosting

3 dessertspoons butter, melted
3 dessertspoons milk
3 dessertspoons cocoa
6 oz icing sugar

Combine butter and cocoa, add in the milk and then gradually add the icing sugar until thick and creamy.  Ice the cake once cool.

This was not as rich as chocolate cake #1 but it was still as tasty.  The husband enjoyed it as did I and it did not last long in our house!  But what cake does?!  We both love cake and I won't lie, I am really enjoying my chocolate cake mission as we always have cake in the house now.  Cake makes it all better if you ask me - nothing beats a cup of tea and a slice of chocolate cake when the babe is asleep or after a long day in the evening, just settling down on the couch after supper.

Yes, it is the little things when you have a young babe and chocolate cake is one of them for us.

I rate this cake 7/10.
(Only because it was a single layer and it was just missing that richness factor)

♥

You can see why I am doing this here and recipe #1 here.

So as mentioned yesterday, this is the first of the chocolate cakes on my adventure to finding that perfect chocolate cake recipe.

This recipe is claimed to be the best chocolate cake recipe ever and I must say - its pretty damn good.   The husband, my trusty friend Hannah (check out her new blog) and I tasted it and we all agree it is a good chocolate cake.  The only thing my husband said was that the espresso powder was a bit overpowering and he is not a coffee fan and that it could be a bit more chocolately.

Well, this is a very chocolatey cake in my opinion but I think he likes real chocolate and this recipes only calls for cocoa.  I personally didn't taste the espresso powder at all and I think it compliments the chocolate and makes for a richer cake.  But I am a coffee fan so maybe that plays a part.

I thought that the cake tasted better the day after baking and the day after that (I can't tell you any further as it was finished after two days - ahem!), so it definitely is a recipe to make a day in advance.  It was easy and quick to make, nothing complicated and I would think everyone would have all the inngredients in their cupboards bar the espresso powder maybe as I had to buy this in too.

The icing was lovely and creamy and spread on thickly - I only made half of the quantity suggested as I didn't make a 3 layer cake and there was plenty to use as well as enough for tasting which is an absolute must when making anything chocolate.  I put some strawberry jam in the middle which I always do with chocolate cakes, next time I am going to try apricot jam.

This is definitely a cake I would make again, I just need to work on my icing techniques I think as well as not being lazy and lining the tin neatly and not just slapping in the greaseproof paper so my cakes come out a bit wonky!  But practice makes perfect - I definitely can't wait to get practicing on my next cake!

I give this recipe an 8/10 rating.

It's no secret that I just love baking.  It is something that relaxes me, it is good for the soul and at the end of it you get something yummy to eat and share with your friends and family or just yourself of course!!  One thing that I have never quite mastered is chocolate cake.  I love a good slice of chocolatey, moist cake with creamy fudgy icing.  Nothing beats it.  But either my cake is too dry, my icing not chocolatey enough or the taste is just not quite right.

So, I have decided to venture on a quest - I am going to try a few chocolate cake recipes and share these with you with my opinion of what works and what doesn't in the hope of finding a go-to, fail safe chocolate cake recipe that I can share with you guys.

Please, if you have a chocolate cake recipe that you love and trust, I would love to know!  Is there a secret ingredient you use?  Or a certain method?

Check back tomorrow on the blog for my first attempt - using the recipe I found on "Add a Pinch" where this recipe is claimed to be the best chocolate cake recipe ever.  Read my thoughts on taste, texture and recipe difficulty.

Until then - happy chocolate cake eating!

P.S. All this baking will be good practice for World Baking Day coming up on the 18th May!  Remember I took part last year? 

♥

As I sit and write this post early in the morning before my little boy wakes, I am realising that motherhood is something that constantly evolves.  Jack is changing, growing and learning everyday and while we are sort of getting into a little routine we are still learning about each other too.  A few things to remember at three months...

I love instagram - its an easy and fun way to snap photos and share them with your friends & an ever increasingly popular way to record your daily life and capture those fleeting moments.
What's not to love?

Sticky9, formerly known as Stickygram relaunched their new brand a few weeks ago and I had to be involved and share the love too.  I got some Sticky9 magnets of my Instagram photos which are now proudly displayed on the fridge (although there are plenty of ways you could display these - get creative!)

I will definitely be ordering more of these - how cool would the whole fridge look, covered in my photos?  They also offer a jigsaw pack of 9 where you have one photo made up of 9 squares or why not create an amazing phone case and ipad cover - another thing to add on to my shopping list I think!

So the awesome peeps over at Sticky9 are offering you guys a set of their world famous magnets -  all you have to do is:

♥ Hop on over to my facebook page and share the competition with your friends.

♥ Follow Sticky9 on facebook or Instagram

♥ Comment below to let me know that you have done both of the above, with your email address where I can contact you if you win!!


Have fun and good luck!! Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com



And the winner is....

Richard Hill!  Congratulations!  Sticky9 will be in contact with you shortly to arrange your set of magnets.  Enjoy!

The blogging world is a huge one - so when I come across a blog that I love and can resonate with, it really puts a smile on my face.  I was reading one of these said blogs and saw that Vanessa had very kindly mentioned me for a Liebster Award on her blog.