American Chocolate Cake Recipe

175 g/6 oz plain (all-purpose) flour
45 ml/3 tbsp cocoa (unsweetened chocolate) powder
5 ml/1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
225 g/8 oz/1 cup caster (superfine) sugar
75 ml/5 tbsp oil
15 ml/1 tbsp white wine vinegar
5 ml/1 tsp vanilla essence (extract)

250 ml/8 fl oz cold water

For the icing (frosting):
50 g/2 oz cream cheese
30 ml/2 tbsp butter or margarine
2.5 ml vanilla essence (extract)

175 g/6 oz/1 cup icing (confectioners') sugar, sifted

Method:

Mix together the dry ingredients and make a well in the centre. Pour in the oil, wine vinegar and vanilla essence and mix well. Stir in the cold water and mix again until smooth. Pour into a greased 23 cm/9 in baking tin (pan) and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F/ gas mark 4 for 30 minutes. Leave to cool.

To make the icing, beat together the cream cheese, butter or margarine and vanilla essence until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the icing sugar until smooth. Spread over the top of the cake.