Preheat oven to moderate 180oC. Brush a deep, 20cm
ring tin
with melted butter or oil. Line base with paper, grease
the paper.
Coat base and side evenly with flour,
shake off excess.
Using electric beaters, beat butter
and sugar in small mixing bowl until light and
creamy. Add eggs gradually, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add
essence, beat until combined.
Place chocolate in a glass bowl. Stir
over barely simmering water until melted, remove from heat. Transfer
butter mixture to large mixing bowl, add chocolate and Choc Bits.
Using a metal spoon, fold in sifted
flour.
Stir until just combined and the
mixture is almost smooth.
Spoon mixture evenly into prepared tin,
smooth surface.
Bake for 35 minutes or until skewer comes out clean when
inserted in centre of cake.
Leave cake in the tin 10 minutes before
turning onto wire rack to cool.
To make Milk Chocolate Icing.
Combine chocolate, cream, butter and sifted icing sugar in a small pan.
Stir over low heat until chocolate and butter have melted and mixture is
smooth, remove from heat. Cool.