Christmas Chocolate Town Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup boiling water
2/3 cup shortening
1 3/4 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups buttermilk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 - 9 inch pans. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
Combine cocoa and boiling water in small bowl to form a smooth paste. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated. Blend in cocoa paste.
Divide batter into 2 prepared 9 inch pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans then turn out onto wire rack and cool completely.