Easy chocolate cake for kids

• 175g self-raising flour

• 50g cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 240ml vegetable oil

• 225g caster sugar

• 3 medium eggs

• 1-2 tbsp milk

For the chocolate buttercream

• 200g icing sugar

• 50g cocoa powder

• 125g butter or spread, at room temperature

• 1-2 tbsp milk

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line two 20cm sandwich tins.

2. Get the kids to help you measure out the ingredients and then sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together in a mixing bowl.

3. Pour the oil into a separate mixing bowl. Add the sugar - kids can help whisk it in with a balloon whisk until well combined.

4. Add the eggs to the oil and sugar mixture one at a time (get the kids to crack the egg into a little jug or cup first then pour it into the bowl - to avoid getting any shell into the cake batter). Alternate with a large spoonful of the flour mixture.

5. Add the rest of the flour mixture and stir with a large metal spoon to combine. Stir in the milk to loosen the batter slightly (you may not need all the milk).

6. Divide the batter between the two tins and bake for 20-25 minutes until a skewer inserted into the middle of one of the cakes comes out clean.

7. Leave to cool for five minutes in the tins before carefully turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the buttercream

1. Sift the icing sugar and cocoa powder into a large bowl. Add the butter and whisk for several minutes until they come together and you have a fluffy buttercream (this is easier with an electric mixer - grown ups only. If the kids want to whisk the icing, use a balloon whisk instead).

2. Whisk in the milk a little at a time to loosen the icing to your desired consistency.

3. Get the kids to help spread the icing onto the cakes using a palette knife or spatula. Sandwich together and serve as is, or let the kids go to town decorating the top with sprinkles, Smarties or strawberry chunks.