Chocolate buttercream icing

Preparation time                                     Cooking time                                           Serves

less than 30 mins                             less than 10 mins                  Makes enough to fill 

                                                                                                           and top one 20cm/8in cake

An easy chocolate buttercream that tastes better than the usual, because of the real melted chocolate.

Ingredients

50g/1¾oz good-quality dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids)

100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened

200g/7oz icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

milk, to loosen

Method

1. Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. (Do not allow the base of the bowl to touch the surface of the water.) Allow to cool until the chocolate no longer feels hot to the touch.
2. Beat the butter in a bowl until soft, then gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the vanilla extract and beat again.
3. Fold in the melted chocolate until completely incorporated (add a few drops of milk if the mixture is a little stiff).
4. This icing can be kept in the fridge for a few days. Bring to room temperature and beat again until smooth before icing your cake.

Recipe Tips

Double the quantity of this icing if you want to entirely cover a cake. It freezes well, too - on or off the cake.