Just Another Chocolate Cake

This is one of my adopted recipes. I finally got around to making this. This is the first choc cake I've made from scratch in over 40 years, I discovered box mixes and never looked back. Since I adopted this orphan I decided I should make it. It seems fine to DH and me. But how would I know? I used Kittencals frosting Kittencal's Chocolate Frosting/Icing. I baked in a 9X13 inch pan, the original recipe calls for 3 pans but I don't have 3 pans. I left the original recipe instructions for those who prefer layer cakes. I think 50 min baking time for mine was about right.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  cocoa, baking
• 1⁄2 cup hot water
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening
• 2  cups sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups flour, unbleached, sifted
• 1  cup buttermilk

Directions

1. Combine cocoa, hot water and baking soda in a small bowl.
2. Let stand while mixing other ingredients.
3. Cream the shortening and sugar together in a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Beat in vanilla and cocoa mixture.
6. Add flour alternately with the buttermilk to creamed mixture beating well after each addition.
7. Pour batter into 3 greased and wax paper lined 8-inch round cake pans.
8. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 25 minutes or until cakes test done.
9. Cool in pans on racks for 10 minutes.
10. Remove from pans; cool completely on racks.
11. To assemble cake, place one cake layer on serving plate.
12. Spread with frosting of your choice.
13. Top with second cake layer and spread a layer of frosting.
14. Top with third cake layer and frost sides and top with remaining frosting.