½ cup shortening
2 cups dark brown sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup cocoa
4 tbsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla
¾ cup water
2 ¼ cup sifted flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
Cream sugar and shortening. Make a paste of eggs and cocoa. Mix vinegar and vanilla in measuring cup and add enough water (about ¾ cup) to have a full cup of liquid. Sift flour, soda and salt. Add liquid and dry ingredients alternately. Bake 30-35 minutes in 350 degree oven.
Top with caramel icing:
9 tbsp. dark brown sugar
3 tbsp. butter
5 tbsp. milk (or canned milk)
½ tsp. salt
Boil about 2 minutes. Let cool. Add enough 4x sugar to make a smooth icing to spread.