America's Birthday Cake

America's Birthday Cake

15 Servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/4 cups cake flour
• 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 
  SAUCE:
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• 
  CREAM:
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in
• the food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa,
• salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with
• buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
• Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for
• 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes
• out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
• For sauce, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in
• orange juice until smooth. Add the blueberries, nutmeg and salt;
• cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly.
• Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Cool.
• In a small bowl, whip cream and confectioners' sugar until stiff peak
• forms. Serve cake with sauce and whipped cream. Yield: 15 servings.