Rich Chocolate Loaf Cake

• butter, softened↗1 cup
• vegetable shortening (Crisco is good)↗1⁄2 cup

  (Crisco is good)

• sugar↗2 1⁄2 cups
• vanilla↗2 teaspoons
• large eggs↗5
• instant coffee granules↗1 tablespoon
• very hot water1⁄4 cup
• all-purpose flour↗2 cups
• sifted baking cocoa3⁄4 cup
• salt↗1 teaspoon
• baking powder↗1 teaspoon
• buttermilk, room temperature↗1 cup

  room temperature

• semisweet mini chocolate chips↗1 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Set oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Set oven rack to second-lowest position.

3. 3

   Generously grease two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans or 6 mini loaf pans (for greasing see my Pan Release posted on this site).

4. 4

   In a large bowl cream butter, shortening, sugar and vanilla until fluffy; add in eggs one at a time beating well after each addition scraping the bowl frequently.

5. 5

   Dissolve the coffee granules in hot water.

6. 6

   Sift together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder; add alternately with coffee and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, beating until well blended.

7. 7

   Mix in the chocolate chips.

8. 8

   Divide the batter equally between well-greased prepared baking pans.

9. 9

   Bake for 1 hour (for 9x5-in) or 40 minutes (for mini loaf pans).

10. 10

    Cool 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.