Chocolate Caramel Cake

Yesterday was my Mother in Law's Birthday. We all went out for a family lunch. I realised I needed to provide a birthday cake. GG (great granny) adores cake especially chocolate cake. I was flicking through Good Housekeeping when I came across this recipe. It required a tin of caramel/dulce de leche. I had accidentally opened a tin last week instead of condensed milk and it was stowed in a jar in the fridge so this was a perfect recipe to use it up and please GG all in one go. It was so quick and easy and yet such a wonderful light moist cake. I will make this again. If you like chocolate cake you will love this

Ingredients

175g (6oz) self-raising flour2½ tbsp cocoa powder1tsp bicarbonate of soda150g (5oz) caster sugar2 eggs150ml (¼pt) corn oil150ml (¼pt) milk2tsp vanilla extract125g (5oz) dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)397g can Carnation Caramel1tbsp icing sugarMethod

Method Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas Mark 4.Base line 2 x18cm (7?) sandwich tins with baking parchment.Sift the flour, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl and stir in the sugar. In a jug measure the oil and milk, then add the eggs, one teaspoon of vanilla and mix together with a fork until combined. Beat two tablespoons of the caramel until smooth and whisk into the egg and oil mixture. Combine the wet with the dry ingredients and mix well. The cake mix will be quite wet. Pour the mixture into the tins and bake in the centre of the oven for 20-25 minutes until springy to the touch.Cool the cakes in their tins and then turn out onto a wire rack. Remove the baking paper and cool completely.Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Add the remaining caramel and vanilla to the chocolate and beat well until smooth and glossy. Sift in the icing sugar and combine thoroughly.Place one half of the cake onto a plate, spread with a generous amount of the frosting and top with the other sandwich half. Spread the remaining frosting over the top of the cake and down the sides to cover completely. Leave to set and cut into slices.