The Ultimate Chocolate Fudge Three Layer Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Cake
1/3 cup water
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup shortening
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Filling
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup butter or 3/4 cup margarine
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
chocolate shavings (optional)

Preparation

For cake: Combine water and chocolate in small saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Beat 2/3 cup shortening until creamy; gradually add 1 3/4 cups sugar, beating well and scrapping down edges of bowl.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift 2 1/2 cups flour, soda, and 1/2 tsp salt; add to cake batter, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Add cooled chocolate mixture and 1 tsp vanilla; mix just until blended.
Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch layer pans.
Bake at 350* for 17-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pans on wire wracks for 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wracks.
For filling: Place 1/4 cup flour in small saucepan; gradually stir in milk.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick.
Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Beat butter and 1/2 cup shortening until creamy; gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating well.
Add 1 Tbsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, and milk mixture; beat until smooth.
Spread filling between cake layers.
For frosting: Combine 3 cups sugar, 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 cup butter, 3 ounces chocolate in a medium saucepan.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts.
Cook over medium heat until mixture boils; boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Beat at high speed of electric mixer until frosting is of spreading consistency.
Immediately spread on cake.
Garnish with chocolate shavings.