Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Cake

By littlefish

One forkful of mellow, light Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Cake, and you'll be transplanted to a breezy porch on a Southern plantation!

Old-fashioned Southern Chocolate Frosting (see add recipes)

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Old-fashioned Southern Chocolate Frosting
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, set aside. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; mix well and set aside.

2.In a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, beat sugar, shortening, and butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs until well mixed. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Add buttermilk and vanilla until well mixed.

3.Divide batter between the two cake pans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center of each comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

4.Place 1 cake layer upside-down on a serving platter and frost top. Place second layer over the first and frost top and sides. Serve, or cover loosely until ready to serve.

Frosting
1.In a small saucepan, combine the butter, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, and chocolate squares. Cook over medium-low heat until the chocolate has melted and the mixture has come to a low boil, stirring frequently.

2.Reduce the heat to low and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

3.Remove from the heat and add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla; mix well.

4.Chill for 30 minutes to thicken before using.