APPLESAUCE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Cream together the shortening and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in vanilla and applesauce. Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Beat in boiling water. (Batter should be thick.) Pour batter into greased and waxed paper-lined 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 1 hour or until cake tests done. Immediately sprinkle carefully 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 1/2 cup of toasted pecan pieces on the cake. Place cake on cooling rack. When cake is cooled, cut into squares.