Basic Chocolate Cake

Slather this all-purpose rich chocolate cake in Rich Chocolate Buttercream or a whipped cream frosting.

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

• 4  (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2  cup  shortening
• 2  cups  sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 2  cups  sifted cake flour
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1  teaspoon  baking soda
• 3/4  teaspoon  salt
• 3/4  cup  buttermilk
• 3/4  cup  water
• 1  tablespoon  vanilla extract
• Rich Chocolate Buttercream (optional)

Preparation

Place chocolate in top of a double broiler; bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until chocolate melts.

Beat shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add chocolate, mixing well.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to chocolate mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix at low speed after each addition until blended. Add water, mixing well. Stir in vanilla.

Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350º for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Frost as desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

323

Fat:

13.7g

Cholesterol:

36mg

Sodium:

259mg