Granma's chocolate cake

I remember spending school holidays with my granny and all my cousins in the rural town of Mathuba in Northern Kwazula Natal, thats in South Africa for those who dont know.  It was a great small town in the 90s. Although I missed the big city of Durban one thing I looked forward to there besides listening to my papas world war stories was baking with my Gran. This cake was a family favourite passed down from generation to generation. It is a great light and fluffy chocolate that lends well to be used for cupcakes and even in trifles. It is easy to make and all will love it. 

Time:  prep:15 minutes 

           cook: 20 minutes

           total: 35 minutes 

Ingredients

Chocolate sponge

1 1/4 cups cake flour

4 Teaspoons baking powder 

4 Tablespoons Cocoa 

1/2 cup oil 

1/2 cup lukewarm water 

4 large eggs 

1 1/4 cups castor sugar 

1 Teasponn vanilla easence

Method 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Sift all the dry ingredients into a bowl. Put the oil and water into a beaker. In another bowl beat eggs and castor sugar till light and fluffy. When its thickened and fluffy you know its right. Pour a little of the dry ingredients and a little oil and water into the beaten eggs and mix with a wooden spoon. Continue until all is incorporated into the egg mixture. Mix gently to keep the air in the mixture.  Add the teaspoon of vanilla escense and mix. Pour mixture into prepared cake tin and bake for 20 minutes. Test for readyness with a toothpick if it comes out clean it is ready if it is still to soft leave for another 5 minutes.  Cool completely before icing. 

Enjoy with basic chocolate buttercream icing or with a filling of chocolate mousse and topped with chocolate ganache and strawberries.