2 c. cake flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. milk
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. vegetable shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt into large electric mixer bowl. Drop in shortening and add 3/4 cup milk and the vanilla. Mix at lowest speed 15 seconds, just to blend. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl and beaters once or twice. Add remaining ingredients and beat 2 minutes longer. Spoon into 2 ungreased 8" or 9" layer pans lined with wax paper and bake 40 minutes. Cool upright in pans on wire racks 5 minutes, then invert on racks, peel off paper, turn right side up and cool completely.

SNOW GLAZE:

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
3 tbsp. warm milk
1 c. coconut
Halved pecans

Mix sugar and milk until smooth. Place one layer cake on plate and drizzle half of glaze mixture over top, then sprinkle half coconut over that. Place second layer over first; drizzle and sprinkle as before with remaining ingredients. If desired, arrange halved pecans over top of cake for that "final touch".