Chocolate Spice Cake

Ingredients

• 3/4-1 cup sugar (use 1 cup if you like it sweet)
• 3 tablespoons Crisco shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons chopped nuts
• 1/3 cup buttermilk

Directions

1. 1

   Set oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Grease a 9" round baking pan, and dust with flour.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, beat sugar and shortening until very well mixed; add in vanilla and eggs, beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.

4. 4

   Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture, with the buttermilk, beat for 2 minutes at low speed until moistened, then at medium speed for another 2 minutes.

5. 5

   Stir in the chopped nuts.

6. 6

   Transfer to prepared baking pan.

7. 7

   Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until cake tests done with a toothpick.

8. 8

   Note: mini chocolate chips may be substituted for the chopped nuts, OR use 2 Tbsp of both.