Mahogany Cake

Ingredients

2 cups sifted pastry fluor
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter or other shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1/2 cup cocoa
1/3 cup water
1 cup sour milk
1 tsp vanilla

Sift fluor once, measure, add baking soda and salt and sift together three times.  Work butter with spoon until creamy.  Add sugar gradually, beating after each addition until light and fluffy.  Add egg,  Add water to cocoa slowly, mixing until a smooth paste is formed.  Add to creamed mixture, blending well.  Add fluor alternately with milk, a small amount at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.  Add vanilla.  Turn into greased loaf pan (6" x 10").  Bake in moderate ovn 325ºF (160ºC) 50 minutes.  Spread with date butter and top with Soft Chocolate Frosting.