Burnt Sugar Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. sugar
1 c. boiling water
1/2 c. shortening (half oleo and half butter at room temperature)
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. milk, room temperature
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Preparation

Place 1 cup sugar in heavy skillet and heat, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and browns (it should start to smoke).
Remove from heat and add boiling water.
Return to heat and stir until sugar is dissolved and syrup begins to thicken slightly (use wooden spoon for stirring).
Set aside to cool. Cream 1/2 cup shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar; cream until light and fluffy.
Add 2 eggs, beaten thoroughly.
Add vanilla.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
Add alternately with 1 cup milk (room temperature).
Beat until blended after each addition.
Stir in burnt sugar syrup.
Pour batter into two 9-inch layer pans, which have been lined on the bottoms with wax paper and greased.
Bake in moderate 375\u00b0 oven for about 30 minutes or until done.
Frost with Burnt Sugar Frosting.