Wonderful Chocolate Pound Cake

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 12 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 12 teaspoon baking powder
• 14 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• softened (no subs please!)
• 12 cup Crisco shortening (butter flavor is best
• but can use plain)
• 3 cups sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1 14 cups half-and-half cream or 1 14 cups milk
• 2 (1 ounce) grated unsweetened chocolate squares or 2 (1 ounce) semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
• 2 12 teaspoons vanilla (or 2-3 tablespoons liqueur)

Instructions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. Set oven rack to second-lowest position.
3. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
4. In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking cocoa, baking powder and salt; set aside.
5. In a large bowl with a heavy-duty mixer, beat butter, shortening and sugar for 5-6 minutes (until no sugar granules remain, this is important!
6. ).
7. Add in vanilla (or liqueur if using) and eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
8. Turn mixer to low speed.
9. Add in flour mixture alternating with cream (ending with flour).
10. Add in grated chocolate; mix to combine.
11. Transfer batter to prepared baking pan.
12. Bake for around 75-80 minutes or until cake tests done with a toothpick inserted in the middle.
13. Let cool for 10 minutes.
14. Remove from pan and cool completely.