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Mary Berry All-in-One Chocolate Cake

Mary Berry All-in-One Chocolate Cake recipe

It’s a classic British chocolate sponge made by placing all ingredients in one bowl and beating until smooth. No creaming stages. No complicated steps. Just even mixing, reliable rise, and a light, tender crumb—finished with an easy cocoa buttercream.

Ingredients

  • Self-raising flour (175g)

  • Baking powder (1 tsp)

  • Soft margarine or butter (175g)

  • Caster sugar (175g)

  • Cocoa powder (40g)

  • Eggs, large (3)

  • Milk (2 tbsp; plus 1–2 tbsp warm water if needed)

For the icing

  • Butter, softened (75g)

  • Icing sugar, sifted (175g)

  • Cocoa powder (20g)

  • Milk (1–2 tbsp, to loosen)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the oven and prep tins

Preheat to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F. Grease and line two 20cm tins with parchment.

Step 2: Add everything to one bowl

Combine flour, baking powder, cocoa, sugar, butter (or margarine), eggs, and milk. Beat until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Adjust the batter

If thick, add 1–2 tbsp warm water or a splash more milk. The batter should drop easily from a spoon.

Step 4: Bake to a gentle rise

Divide evenly between tins (weigh for accuracy). Bake 20–25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

Step 5: Cool before icing

Let sit 5 minutes in tins, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the icing

Beat butter until fluffy. Mix in cocoa and icing sugar. Add milk gradually to a soft, spreadable consistency.

Step 7: Fill and finish

Spread half the icing over one sponge, top with the second, then cover the top with remaining icing and smooth.