Fudgy chocolate cake recipe
 This fantastically easy chocolate cake is rich, moist and treacly with a glossy ganache finish. 200g/7oz dark chocolate, chopped 200g/7oz butter, cubed, plus extra for greasing100ml/3½fl oz water125g/4½oz self-raising flour125g/4½oz plain flour25g/1oz cocoa powder200g/7oz light muscovado sugar200g/7oz golden caster sugar3 free-range eggs75ml/2½fl oz crème fraîche 200g/7oz dark chocolate, chopped 200g/7oz butter, cubed, plus extra for greasing 100ml/3½fl oz water 125g/4½oz self-raising flour 125g/4½oz plain flour 25g/1oz cocoa powder 200g/7oz light muscovado sugar 200g/7oz golden caster sugar 3 free-range eggs 75ml/2½fl oz crème fraîche 50g/1¾oz dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids)100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened200g/7oz icing sugar1 tsp vanilla extractmilk, to loosen 50g/1¾oz dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids) 100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened 200g/7oz icing sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract milk, to loosen 150ml/5¼oz double cream1 tsp vanilla extract1 tsp unsalted butter150g/5¼oz dark chocolate, plus extra chocolate shavings, to decorate 150ml/5¼oz double cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp unsalted butter 150g/5¼oz dark chocolate, plus extra chocolate shavings, to decorate Method Preheat the oven to 170C/335F/Gas 3. Grease and line two 20cm/8in sandwich tins.Melt the chocolate, butter and water together in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.Meanwhile, sift the flours and cocoa powder into a bowl and mix in the muscovado and caster sugar.Beat the eggs and crème fraîche together in a separate bowl, then beat in the chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour mixture until smooth.Divide the cake batter between the tins and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch.Remove the cakes from the oven and set aside to cool completely. Meanwhile, for the chocolate fudge icing, 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.)Beat the butter in a bowl until soft, then gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the vanilla extract and fold in the melted chocolate until smooth (add a few drops of milk if the mixture is a little stiff). For the chocolate ganache, heat the cream, vanilla extract, butter and chocolate in a heavy-based pan. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk the mixture until smooth and thickened.To assemble the cake, run a round-bladed knife around the inside of the cake tins to loosen the cake. Carefully remove the cakes from the tins.Spread the fudge buttercream over the top of one of the chocolate cakes, then carefully top with the other cake.Transfer the cake to a serving plate and spoon the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drizzle over the edge. Garnish with chocolate shavings and serve in slices. Preheat the oven to 170C/335F/Gas 3. Grease and line two 20cm/8in sandwich tins. Preheat the oven to 170C/335F/Gas 3. Grease and line two 20cm/8in sandwich tins. Melt the chocolate, butter and water together in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. Melt the chocolate, butter and water together in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, sift the flours and cocoa powder into a bowl and mix in the muscovado and caster sugar. Meanwhile, sift the flours and cocoa powder into a bowl and mix in the muscovado and caster sugar. Beat the eggs and crème fraîche together in a separate bowl, then beat in the chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour mixture until smooth. Beat the eggs and crème fraîche together in a separate bowl, then beat in the chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour mixture until smooth. Divide the cake batter between the tins and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch. Divide the cake batter between the tins and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch. Remove the cakes from the oven and set aside to cool completely. Remove the cakes from the oven and set aside to cool completely. Meanwhile, for the chocolate fudge icing, 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.) Meanwhile, for the chocolate fudge icing, 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.) Beat the butter in a bowl until soft, then gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the vanilla extract and fold in the melted chocolate until smooth (add a few drops of milk if the mixture is a little stiff). Beat the butter in a bowl until soft, then gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the vanilla extract and fold in the melted chocolate until smooth (add a few drops of milk if the mixture is a little stiff). For the chocolate ganache, heat the cream, vanilla extract, butter and chocolate in a heavy-based pan. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk the mixture until smooth and thickened. For the chocolate ganache, heat the cream, vanilla extract, butter and chocolate in a heavy-based pan. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk the mixture until smooth and thickened. To assemble the cake, run a round-bladed knife around the inside of the cake tins to loosen the cake. Carefully remove the cakes from the tins. To assemble the cake, run a round-bladed knife around the inside of the cake tins to loosen the cake. Carefully remove the cakes from the tins. Spread the fudge buttercream over the top of one of the chocolate cakes, then carefully top with the other cake. Spread the fudge buttercream over the top of one of the chocolate cakes, then carefully top with the other cake. Transfer the cake to a serving plate and spoon the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drizzle over the edge. Garnish with chocolate shavings and serve in slices. Transfer the cake to a serving plate and spoon the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drizzle over the edge. Garnish with chocolate shavings and serve in slices.