Serves 10

170g gluten free self raising flour

½ tsp xanthan gum

50g cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

½ tsp salt

300g caster sugar

2 eggs

250ml milk

125g vegetable oil

250ml boiling water

For the buttercream

250g icing sugar

50g cocoa powder

150g unsalted butter

To decorate

Chocolate decorations

Or chocolate sprinkles

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas mark 4. Line two 20cm cake tins with non-stick parchment paper.
2. To make the sponge, place all of the ingredients except for the boiling water into a large bowl. Beat together until the mixture is just combined.
3. Add the boiling water, a little at a time, mixing and scraping down the sides after each addition.
4. Divide the mixture evenly amongst the tins and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer is inserted and comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

5. To make the buttercream, beat together the icing sugar, cocoa powder and unsalted butter until smooth.

1. To decorate the cake, place the first sponge layer on a cake stand or serving plate.
2. Spread over half of the buttercream and add the next sponge on top.
3. Spoon the remaining buttercream into a piping bag with a star nozzle. Pipe swirls of buttercream around the top edge of the cake.
4. Decorate the cake with some grated chocolate or chocolate sprinkles.