Cream Cheese Chocolate Cake

Sift the cake flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside. Combine cream cheese, 1/2 c shortening and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat, with an electric mixer set on high, until light and fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar alternately with hot water and chocolate (melted and cooled to room temperature) to cream cheese mixture, beating well after each addition. Blend until smooth. Remove 2 cups of the chocolate mixture and cover with plastic wrap. Reserve for frosting. Blend 1/4 cup shortening into remaining chocolate mixture. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add dry ingredients alternately with 1/4 cup of milk, beating well after each addition. Spread batter in 2 greased and waxed paper lined 9-inch round cake pans. Bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 35 minutes or until cakes test done. Cool in pans on racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on racks. Blend 1 T milk into the reserved chocolate mixture for frosting. Place one layer on serving plate and spread with frosting. Top with second layer and frost sides and top with remaining frosting.