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 ½ cups sugar
3 eggs ( ½ to 2/3 cup)

Blend in;

2 ½ squares unsweetened chocolate (2 ½ oz), melted

Sift together;

2 ¼ cups cake flour (tip)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Mix in alternately with;

1 ¼ cups buttermilk or sweet milk

Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake layers 30 to 35 minutes or until cake tests done. Bake oblong cake 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool. Finish with Chocolate Butter Icing (recipe listed below or Chocolate Mint Icing (recipe listed below).

Chocolate Butter Icing

Blend together;

1/3 cup soft butter
3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
3 squares (3 oz.) melted unsweetened chocolate

Stir in until smooth;

About 3 teaspoons cream
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

Amount;

For two 8'' or 9'' layers or one 13'' X 9'' oblong

Chocolate Mint Icing

Use about 12 large chocolate covered peppermint cream patties for frosting one 13'' X 9'' oblong cake. The minute the cake comes out of the oven, place chocolate peppermints over top. As they melt, spread quickly over cake.