Though I am aware I’m not discussing the book, but instead the video clip, I just think there is so much rich literature to be relished and learned by children. For example, Rosen’s story telling is second to none, therefore this can be harnessed and used to develop children’s own story writing and storytelling. This is also inclusive of children who are perhaps not advanced readers, as they can develop their speaking and listening skills without having to do any reading. My mum used to use chocolate buttons, or if you’re after a more sophisticated look, a bit of grated chocolate orange over the top is absolutely divine. Don’t forget the candles or mini sparklers for birthdays and special occasions! Sprinkles make me happy – but I have found it best to ration the kids by putting some in a bowl… Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180°C/160°C Fan/350ºF and line and butter two 20cm / 8 inch sandwich tins with removable bases. This one is for all the other times when you just want a great, classic Chocolate Cake. Which in my world, is 80% of the time! – Nagi x Add the sieved icing sugar, stirring into the butter alongwith the evaporated milk and vanilla extract.

Write a short poem on something that the children love. Children should aim to engage the reader by bringing the poetry to life with descriptive language. Use onomatopoeias, alliteration and descriptive adjectives. Spoon another third of the icing on to the top of the cake and spread it in a swirly, textured way (though you can go for a smooth finish if you prefer, and have the patience). Spread the sides of the cake with the remaining icing and leave a few minutes till set, then carefully pull away the paper strips.Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Sift in the flour, baking powder and cocoa, then lightly fold into the mixture. I love to dot the top of this with sugar pansies — and you must admit, they do look enchanting — but there really is no need to make a shopping expedition out of it. Anything, or indeed nothing, will do. This is the famous Hershey’s Chocolate Cake recipewhich I tried on the recommendation of Michelle from the Brown Eyed Baker (one of the first places I go in hunt for baked goods). I tried it without massively high expectations, because I thought “how much better can this be than the usual, being such a simple recipe?” Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, then cool slightly. In a bowl, beat the butter and icing sugar together with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy, then fold in the melted chocolate.

This milk chocolate cake is known in my family as ‘The’ birthday cake, as it’s the one my mother would bake for each and every one of our birthdays. So nostalgia is admittedly a part of the charm of this cake for me, but it also tastes sooooo good! Our Story Thomas Bell founded a wholesale grocery firm near the Tyne quays and railway station in Newcastle in the 1880s. Among his top-selling brands were 'Bells Royal' baking powder and a self raising flour. Following the death of Edward VII, it became illegal to use the Royal name. As a result, Bell decided to take the first couple of letters from the each of the two words of the brand name and turn them into the more catchy sounding ' Be-Ro'. All in all, I have used this recipe technically loads of times on my blog, in my Oreo drip cake for example, but never done a post on a simple chocolate cake before. I personally, prefer using light brown sugar in the sponge because I like the flavour, but either that, caster sugar, or golden caster sugar would work perfectly fine. Store this cake in a cool place (NOT the fridge – that will dry it out), in a sealed container or under a cake dome, and it will keep for around a week and still taste good. You are very unlikely to have any left after a week, though! Spoon about a third of the icing on to the centre of the cake half and spread with a knife or spatula until you cover the top of it evenly. Sit the other cake on top, normal way up, pressing gently to sandwich the two together.For this, I am a big fan of the video clip where an animated Rosen is telling the audience of eating his mum’s delicious chocolate cake. The sound effects and story itself are hilarious and will be enjoyed by children and adults alike!