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A real, unedited photograph of a vintage chocolate cake slice

Old-Fashioned 14 Layer Chocolate Cake

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield/Servings: 24 servings
  • Ingredients
  • Cake Batter
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 cups plain flour all-purpose
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 2 1/2 cups sweet milk whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter flavoring extract
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • Cooked Frosting
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 can evaporated milk

Method
 

  1. For the Frosting
  2. Melt butter in a large 4-quart saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Mix in the cocoa powder, sugar, and evaporated milk smoothly.
  4. Bring the mixture to a rapid, rolling boil.
  5. Reduce heat and cook for exactly 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  6. Remove from heat and let the thin icing cool completely.
  7. For the Cake
  8. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  9. Sift the plain flour and baking powder together. Set aside.
  10. Cream the shortening and sugar in a bowl until fluffy.
  11. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  12. Add the flour mixture alternately with the whole milk. Beat until blended.
  13. Stir in the vanilla and butter flavorings completely.
  14. Grease 9-inch baking pans with shortening and sprinkle with flour.
  15. Spread 1/2 cup of batter into each prepared pan.
  16. Bake until the thin layers turn lightly brown.
  17. Remove layers to a wire rack to cool completely.
  18. Wash your pans thoroughly after baking each individual layer.
  19. Build the cake by spreading cooled frosting between every layer.
  20. Frost the entire top and outside edges generously.