Chocolate Layer Cake

• 2 squares (ounces) unsweetened chocolate
• 1 2/3 cups sifted flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup beer

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8-inch layer-cake pans and dust lightly with flour. Melt the chocolate over hot water. Cool. Sift together the flour salt. baking powder and soda.

Cream the shortening, gradually adding the sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the chocolate. Add the flour mixture alternately with the beer, mixing until well blended. Turn into the pans. Bake 25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in the pans and then turn out onto a cake rack. Let cool completely before frosting. Put layers together with whipped cream or butter frosting.