Chocolate Cinnamon Cake

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 200g butter, chopped
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cup self-raising flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• Icing

• 100g dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cream
• 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 20cm round cake pan. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl until pale. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until well-combined.
2. Sift flour, cocoa, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda together. Fold into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk until well-combined. Spoon mixture into prepared pan and smooth the surface.
3. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Allow to cool before icing.
4. To make icing: Combine chocolate, cream and cinnamon in a small heatproof bowl. Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and spread over cake.