Recipe(tried): Grandma's Old Fashion Chocolate Cake

Adding the mashed potatoes gives this a great old fashion flavor and a very hearty texture.

GRANDMA'S OLD FASHION CHOCOLATE CAKE

1/2 cup canned Crisco vegetable shortening
1 cup white granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup mashed potatoes (no milk or butter added)*
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Confectioners' sugar (powdered)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl cream shortening and sugar with mixer or fork until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg. Stir in potatoes and vanilla.

Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and add to the creamed mixture with buttermilk a little at a time, beating each time you add a bit of buttermilk. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9-inch square baking pan, sprinkle walnuts over batter.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar.

*Peel and boil a small potato (no salt), then mash in small bowl.

About 9 servings