German Chocolate Cake From Scratch

4 oz German sweet chocolate

1 c Butter or margarine

2 c Granulated sugar

4 Egg yolks

1 ts Pure vanilla

2 1/2 c Cake flour

1/2 ts Salt

1 ts Soda

1 c Buttermilk

4 Egg whites; stiffly beaten

Melt chocolate in a plate over boiling water on the wrapper. Let cool. Cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla & cooled choc. Mix til blended. Add flour, soda & salt altenately with buttermilk, beating only to blend. Fold in beaten egg whites. Pour into 3- 8 or 9" cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or

until, when pressed lightly w/finger tip, it barely springs back up. HINT: Line bottom of GREASED pan w/parchment, grease & flour parchment. Make your own buttermilk of sweet milk: Place 1 tb vinegar in a 1-cup measure. Add milk to = 1 cup. Let it thicken while gathering other ingredients. -----