All-American Chocolate Cake

4  ounces  Unsweetened chocolate

1/2  pound  Butter

2  teaspoons  Vanilla

2  cups  Cake flour

2  cups  Sugar

1 1/2  teaspoons  Baking powder

1  teaspoon  Baking soda

1  teaspoon  Salt

1  cup  Milk

4    Eggs

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F. In a small, heavy-bottomed pan, melt chocolate and shortening, stirring over low heat until smooth and melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add chocolate mixture, milk and eggs, beating until smooth. Spread mixture in two greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake for 30-to-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes before turning out onto wire rack. MARION CUNNINGHAM PRODIGY GUEST CHEFS COOKBOOK