Preheat the oven to 350°F
in a small, heavy bottomed pan, melt chocolate and shortening stirring over low heat until smooth and melted.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Add the chocolate mixture, milk and eggs to the flour mixture and beat until smooth.
Spread the mixture into to greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans.
Bake for 30-to-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
Cool the Chocolate Cake in pans for 5 minutes before turning out on to wire rack
