3/4 c All purpose flour

2/3 c Sugar

1/2 ts Baking soda

1/2 ts Salt

1/2 ts Vanilla

1 oz Pre-melted chocolate

1/3 c Shortening

1/3 c Milk

2 Eggs

Makes one layer cake. Place all ingredients except eggs in mixing bowl. Blend at low speed, then beat at medium speed 1 minute. Add eggs and beat 1 minute. If cake is to be removed before icing, place a few dabs of shortening in bottom of 9 inch glass baking dish, then fit a circle of wax paper over the shortening. If cake is to be iced in the baking dish, simply pour batter in evenly. Microwave 1 layer at 50 percent power for 5 to 6 minutes, rotating 1/4 turn every 3 minutes. Increase power to High, microwave 2 to 5 minutes or until done. Let stand directly on counter top 5 to 10 minutes. *If solid chocolate is used, melt in glass measuring cup at 50 percent power for 2 to 4 minutes per square. To soften pre-melted chocolate in the packets, microwave in envelope 10 seconds on High. VARIATIONS: 1. Chocolate Mint Cakes: Substitute Peppermint flavoring for

vanilla. 2. Chocolate Peanut Cake: Add 2 tbsp. (1/4 cup) peanut butter and

one more tbsp. milk before mixing. 3. Chocolate Cherry Cake: Add 2 tbsp. (1/4 cup) maraschino cherry

juice for milk and 1/4 cup of maraschino cherries before mixing.