best chocolate cake

preheat oven to 350* grease & flour two 9-inch cake pans.

in large bowl- mix together first 5 ingredients. beat in shortening on low. beat in next 3 ing. until combined. increase to high & beat for 2 minutes. add eggs & beat 2 more mins.

pour batter evenly into pans & smooth with spatula. bake in middle of oven 30-35 minutes, use toothpick test. cool 5 minutes in pans, then turn onto wire racks & cool completely

in large bowl- beat next 5 ing. on medium for 2 minutes. add warm water & mix well. beat in confectioners sugar in 2 batches, until smooth.

frost cake, using 1 cup frosting & with 2/3 cup nuts in middle & finish with remaining nuts on top.