1/4 lb. bar sweet cooking chocolate
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. mashed potatoes
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 1/4 c. water
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sour cream

Melt 1 bar sweet cooking chocolate in 1/4 cup water and cool. Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; set aside. Add 1 1/4 cups sugar gradually to 1/2 cup shortening, creaming well. Blend in 3 unbeaten eggs; mix well. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and the cooled melted chocolate. Combine 1 cup mashed potatoes and 1/2 cup sour cream. Gradually add to chocolate mixture. Blend in the dry ingredients gradually. Mix well. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Turn into a 9 or 10 inch tube pan (well greased) and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool completely. Remove from pan and frost.