Master RecipeBasic Chocolate Cake
NOTE: Use a natural cocoa like Hershey's, rather than a dutched one. To measure the cocoa, dip the measure into the cocoa container and then sweep off the excess with a flat spatula or knife.
1 tablespoon solid vegetable shortening
11/4 cups (61/4 ounces) bleached all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons for flouring pans
1/2 cup nonalkalinized cocoa
2 teaspoons instant espresso or instant coffee
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still firm
11/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
