THE Birthday Cake

My Mom's Birthday Cake Recipe

1 2/3 cup flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Mix well and pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish or pan. I find that using a tin baking pan makes it easier to get the cake out later. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350, or until a knife or toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a platter.

Buttercream Icing
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
4 cups icing sugar
2 T milk

Cream the shortening, butter and vanilla. Add the icing sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing between each addition. Add milk at the end until you have reached desired smooth consistency (I often use more than 2 T milk). Ice cake and keep covered so it doesn't dry out.