Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  cup           butter or margarine -- softened
     1/2  cup           shortening
   2      cups          sugar
   2                    eggs
   1      teaspoon      pure vanilla extract
     1/2  cup           unsweetened cocoa
   2 1/4  cups          all-purpose flour
   1 1/4  teaspoons     baking soda
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
   1 1/3  cups          water

Preparation:

1. Cream together butter, shortening and sugar in large mixing bowl. 2. Add eggs and vanilla; blend well. 3. Combine dry ingredients; add alternately with water to creamed mixture. 4. Pour into 2 greased, floured 9-inch-round layer pans or two 8-inch-square pans. 5. Bake in preheated 350 F. oven 35 to 40 minutes for 9-inch layers or 40 to 45 minutes for 8-inch layers, or until cake tester comes out clean. 6. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. 7. Cool completely; frost as desired.