Mom's Chocolate Cake

1. In a small bowl, stir chocolate in boiling water until melted; cool for 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Beat in egg yolks and chocolate mixture. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Gradually beat in water, nuts and vanilla. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into batter. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Combine sugar and cocoa; gradually add to butter with vanilla, salt and enough milk to achieve desired spreading consistency. Frost cake.

Yield: 12 servings