Old-Fashioned Cocoa Fudge Cake

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees; grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 13x9-inch pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda and cinnamon, stirring to blend well.
3. Add oil, vanilla and warm coffee. Stir well to combine, 2 minutes.
4. Add vinegar, stirring well to make sure there are no large lumps of flour in the batter. Rest 5 minutes to allow baking soda and vinegar to react and foam up a little.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Begin instructions for frosting icing: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 1/4 cups of cocoa powder with a whisk, 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup of warm water, shortening and 1 tsp. vanilla extract, then whisk to combine until smooth, 3–5 minutes.
7. Gradually add remaining warm water one spoonful at a time, whisking to combine, until icing reaches the right consistency for spreading.
8. Assemble cooled cake, spreading icing in an even layer, as desired. Refrigerate before slicing, minimum 30 minutes, until ready to serve.