Grandma's Chocolate Layer Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.

Sift together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl.

Add the soft shortening, milk, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is well combined and smooth.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate them fully.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.

Bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.

Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes.

Turn the cakes out onto wire racks and cool completely before frosting and assembling.