Posted by Marla 9/20/2001 7:16 am

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup honey
3 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup honey
1 (6 ounce) package semisweet chocolate
2 3/4 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Cream shortening with sugar until light and fluffy. Continue creaming while adding honey in a fine stream. Add vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.

In a saucepan, combine applesauce, 1/4 cup honey and chocolate pieces. Heat slowly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Cool.

Sift dry ingredients together.

Add alternately to creamed mixture with chocolate-applesauce mixture. Beat after each addition until smooth. Spoon into two 9-inch greased pans.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 25-30 minutes or until cakes test done in center. Cool on racks for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Finish cooling on racks before frosting as desired.