Corey's Birthday Cake

I made this for my husband's birthday this year and he loved it.  It's almost as fast as throwing together a boxed cake mix and the flavor is so intense.  It's not overly sweet.  This is for serious chocoholics!

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1 teaspoon fine table salt
9 tablespoons good-quality baking cocoa
2/3 cup solid vegetable shortening (I use Crisco Sticks.)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour two nine-inch round cake pans and set aside.

Combine flour, soda, baking powder, salt and cocoa in a bowl.  Set aside.

In the work bowl of your mixer, combine shortening and sugar.  Cream on high speed for five minutes.  Reduce the speed to low and add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Slowly add dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated.  Add buttermilk and vanilla.  Mix until a smooth batter is achieved.

Pour into prepared pans and bake on the center rack for 25 to 30 minutes.  A toothpick inserted into the center of the layers should come out clean.  Cool layers on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on the racks.

Fill and frost this with a classic:  Hershey's One-Bowl Buttercream Frosting.  Of course, you can adjust the cocoa to taste.