CAKE:

2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 c. water
3/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. shortening
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted, cooled

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour pans. (This recipe makes two 9 inch layers, three 8 inch layers or one 13 x 9 inch cake.)

Measure all ingredients into a large bowl. Mix 1/2 minute on low, scraping bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans. Bake: Layer cake 30-35 minutes; 13 x 9 inch pan 40-45 minutes. Cool completely, then frost with the recipe that follows.

FROSTING:

1/3 c. butter, softened
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate (or 2 sq.), melted, cool
3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. dairy sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix butter and chocolate thoroughly. Blend in sugar. Stir in sour cream and vanilla. Beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency.