Ingredients
1/2 cup hot water
3 squares (3 ounces) chocolate, melted
1/2 cup soft shortening
1 2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 1/4 cups sifted Softasilk or 2 1/8 cups sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
21/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

Method
To prepare oven, cake pans: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) layer pans or 1 (13-by-9-inch) cake pan.

To prepare chocolate: In bowl, combine hot water and chocolate. Stir until thick. Cool.

To prepare batter: In large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and cooled chocolate. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, alternately with buttermilk.

To bake cake: Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake layers for 30 to 35 minutes, oblong cake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until cake tests done.

SOURCE "Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook" from 1950.