Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Cake

By carvalhohm2

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 (recipe follows)

Details

Servings 12
Cooking time 25mins
Adapted from mrfood.com

Preparation

Step 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. In a large bowl with an electric mixer 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. Divide batter evenly between prepared 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.

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

Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Frosting:
Makes: 1 1/2 cups
1/4 cup (½ stick) butter
campaignIcon Substitute
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

In a small saucepan, combine butter, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, and chocolate squares. Cook over medium-low heat until chocolate has melted and mixture has come to a low boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; mix well. Chill 30 minutes to thicken before using.

Notes:
This isn't like traditional frosting; it's more of a cross between a glaze and a thick icing.