Mrs.Claus's Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup of shortening
2 cups of sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
4 one-ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate, melted
5 large eggs
2 1/4 cups of sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon of soda
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of buttermilk
Whipped cream
Red and green glazed cherries

Stir shortening to soften.  Gradually add sugar, 
creaming until light and fluffy.  Blend in vanilla and cooled 
chocolate. Add eggs one at a time,beating well after each.  
Sift together flour, soda, and salt.  Add to
creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating after each addition.  
Bake in a large pan in the shape of a Christmas tree in the oven 
(350 degrees) for 20 - 25 minutes or until done.  
When the cake is cold, ice it with whipped
cream and decorate with glazed cherries.  
Sprinkle the trunk with crushed filberts and cashews.