Special Chocolate Cake

Special Chocolate Cake

1/2 cup Cocoa or Premium European Style Cocoa
1/2 cup boiling water
2/3 cup shortening
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups buttermilk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour sides of two 9-inch round baking pans. Use 9 inch parchment circles in the bottom of the pans for easy removal. In small bowl, stir together cocoa and hot water until smooth. Set aside. In large mixer bowl, beat shortening, vanilla, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt; add to shortening mixture alternately with buttermilk.

Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 35-40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost with Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting using.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

6 tablespoons softened butter
2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa or premium european style cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In small mixer bowl, beat softened butter. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk. Beat until it is a spreading consistency. If necessary, add more milk. Blend in vanilla.  Yields about 2 cups of frosting.