The perfect, classic chocolate layer cake | table&spoon

Ingredients

• 2 cups (500g) sugar
• 1 cup (250g) butter, room temperature, plus more to butter pan
• 2 1/2 cups cake (315g) flour, plus 1 tablespoon for cake pans
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs, separated and at room temperature
• 1 cup (250ml) buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 oz (125g) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup (125ml) boiling water
• 1/2 cup (125ml) egg whites
• 1 cup (250g) sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks, 340g) unsalted, room temperature butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional decoration)
• seasonal fresh fruit, to serve
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or confectionery sugar for decorating plates