1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk*
1/2 cup shortening
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350-degrees F.
Grease and flour two 8 or 9" cake pans
or 1 13x9x2" pan.
Measure all ingredients into a large mixer bowl.
Mix 1/2 minute on low speed, scraping the bowl
constantly. Then mix on high for 3 minutes,
scraping the bowl occasionally.

Divide the batter into the pans.
Bake 35-40 minutes for 13x9x2" pan
and 30-35 minutes for 8 or 9" pans.

*If you don't use buttermilk, place
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
in 1 1/2 cups regular milk and let sit
til it thickens...just a few minutes.