Family Chocolate Cake

One saucepan plus one large, heavy baking dish are practically all the equipment needed to put together this easy, yummy chocolate cake.

• 2 cups water
• 3 cups caster sugar
• 250g butter, chopped
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 3 cups self-raising flour
• 4 eggs, beaten lightly

1. Preheat oven to moderate. Grease deep 26.5  cm x 33cm baking dish, line with baking paper.
2. Combine the water, sugar, butter and combined sifted cocoa and soda in medium saucepan; stir over heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5minutes.Transfer mixture to large bowl, cool to room temperature.
3. Add flour and egg to bowl; beat with electric mixer until mixture is smooth and changed to a paler colour. Pour mixture into prepared dish.
4. Bake for about 50 minutes. Cool. Spread cold cake with fudge frosting.

Fudge Frosting

• 90g butter
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 1 1/2 cups icing sugar mixture
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder

Combine butter, the water and caster sugar in small saucepan; stir over heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves. Sift icing sugar and cocoa into small bowl then gradually stir in hot butter mixture. Cover; refrigerate about 20 minutes or until frosting thickens. Beat with wooden spoon until spreadable.

Serves 20

Source: The Australian Women's Weekly