Recipe(tried): Re: Request: Burnt Sugar Cake

Burnt Sugar Cake - My grandma used to make this all the time, it was my favorite, and now I too make it often. It is delicious.
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup boiling water
2 1/4 cups Cake flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup soft shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Melt 1/2 cup sugar in skillet over low heat until clear and medium brown, shaking pan gently to keep from burning. Remove from heat. Add boiling water, stirring constantly. Stir over low heat until lumps dissolve. Add water to make 1 cup. Cool.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two layer pans, or oblong cake pan. Sift flour. Blend flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Add shortening and 2/3 cup of the carmel-water mixture. Beat 2 min.medium speed on mixer. Add remaining caramel-water mixture, eggs and vanilla. Beat 2 min. pour into pan(s) Bake layers 25 to 30 min, or oblong cake 35 to 40 min. Cool. Finish with Burnt Sugar icing below.
Burnt Sugar Icing:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup shortening (part butter)
2 1/2 TBSP. cake flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
3 TBSP. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Melt sugar in skillet over low heat until clear and medium brown, shaking pan gently to keep from burning. Remove from heat. Add boiling water, stirring constantly. Stir over low heat until lumps are dissolved. Cool.
Melt shortening in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add flour and salt. Stir in caramel-water mixture, slowly. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 min. Remove from heat. Beat in alternately powdered sugar and water. Set saucepan in bowl of cold water. Beat until consistency to spread, then stir in vanilla. If too thick, add a little water.