Categories: Chocolate, Cakes/choc. 
      Yield: 16 servings 
  
    1/2 c  Cocoa; baking                     1/2 c  ;hot water 
      2 ts Baking soda                       1/2 c  Vegetable shortening 
      2 c  Sugar                               2 ea Eggs; large 
      2 ts Vanilla extract                 2 1/2 c  Flour; unbleached, sifted 
      1 c  Buttermilk                          1 x  -------cocoa frosting------- 
    1/2 c  Butter or regular margarine         1 oz Baking chocolate 
      1 lb Confectioners' sugar; sifted        1 ea Egg white; large 
      1 ts Vanilla extract                     1 ts Lemon juice 
      3 tb Milk                            
  
  Combine cocoa, hot water and baking soda in a small bowl.  Let stand while 
  mixing other ingredients.  Cream the shoretening and sugar together in a 
  mixing bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, until light and 
  fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 
  vanilla and cocoa mixture.  Add flour alternately with the buttermilk to 
  creamed mixture beating well after each addition. Pour batter into 3 
  greased and wax paper lined 8-inch round cake pans. Bake in a preheated 350 
  degree F. oven for 25 minutes or until cakes test done. Cool in pans on 
  racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on racks. To 
  assemble cake, place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread with Cocoa 
  Icing. 
   Top with second cake layer and spread a layer of frosting. Top with third 
  cake layer and frost sides and top with remaining frosting. COCOA ICING: 
  Combine butter, and chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Place over hot 
  water; stir until melted.  Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Sift 
  confectioners' sugar into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center 
  and add egg white, vanila, and lemon juice. Pour in the chocolate mixture. 
  Blend until smooth, using an electric mixer set at medium speed. Add milk 
  to make frosting of a spreading consistency.