1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 c. boiling water
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. shortening
3 eggs, separated
2 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix cocoa and boiling water. Cream sugar, shortening and 3 egg yolks. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda to buttermilk. Beat egg whites until stiff. To the creamed mixture alternate flour and buttermilk. Add salt and vanilla and fold in egg whites. Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) cake pans. Bake 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cool. Fill and frost with your favorite frosting.