One Foot In The Fire Fudge Cake

Melt chocolate in water in heavy saucepan. Cool, and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream shortening, add sugar, then add eggs one at a time.

Combine flour, soda and salt and add alternately with buttermilk to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla extract, mixing until just blended.

Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9" cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 17 to 19 minutes. Cool 10 minutes, invert onto wire racks.

For Filling: Put flour in saucepan. Over medium low heat, stir in milk and cook until thickened and smooth. Cool, stirring occasionally.

Cream butter and shortening, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add salt, vanilla, and flour mixture. Beat until smooth. Spread between cake layers.

For Frosting: Combine sugar, chocolate, milk and butter, cook over low heat until melted, then medium heat until it boils, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.

Stir in vanilla and beat with electric mixer on high until spreadable (an ice bath is helpful here otherwise it takes forever).

Spread over cake.