Best Chocolate Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

Fudge frosting:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla


Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13 x 9 x 2 inches, 3 round pans, 8 x 1-1 /2 inches, or 2 round pans, 9 x 1-1 /2 inches. Beat all ingredients except fudge frosting in large bowl on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high-speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans. Bake rectangle pan 40 to 45 minutes, round pans 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Prepare fudge frosting; frost cake.


Fudge frosting: Mix all ingredients except vanilla in 1-1/2 quart saucepan. Heat to rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Boil 1 minute without stirring. Place saucepan in bowl of ice and water. Beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency; stir in vanilla.