Preheat oven 350⁰

Grease and flour two 9'' layer pans or one 13'' X 9'' oblong pan

Cream together until fluffy;

2/3 cup soft shortening
1 2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs (1/2 to 2/3 cup)

Sift together;

2 ¼ cups sifted cake flour
2/3 cup cocoa
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Mix in alternately with;

1 1/3 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake layers about 35 minutes or until cake tests done. Bake oblong 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool. Frost with Milk Chocolate Frosting (recipe listed below).

Milk Chocolate Frosting

Melt together;

1/3 cup shortening
½ cup cocoa

Stir in;

3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
½ cup hot scalded milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Place pan in ice water, beat until consistency to spread. (3 to 5 minutes)