Pit prunes and cut into small pieces. Cream shortening and sugar thoroughly. Melt chocolate over hot water and add to creamed mixture; mix, add well-beaten eggs, and mix again.

Sift flour with baking powder, salt and baking soda and add alternately with milk, a small amount at a time. Add prunes and vanilla and beat thoroughly.

Pour into three greased layer cake tins and bake 25 to 30 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Put layers together and spread top and sides with chocolate butter frosting.
Yield: Serves 12

Substitutions: I subbed shortening with butter, granulated sugar with brown sugar, baking chocolate with dark chocolate, and milk with buttermilk

I baked them as mini bundts in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.