AUNT JENNY FUDGE FROSTING

1 ounce chocolate or 3 tablespoons cocoa + 1 tablespoon shortening

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup shortening (if using cocoa, simply measure 1/3 cup shortening)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Bring all ingredients but vanilla to a full boil in a heavy bottomed saucepan, stirring constantly. Boil one full minute (to be absolutely sure, boil 1 1/4 minute, adding another 10 seconds or so if the weather is damp.). Remove from heat. Run cold water into the sink and put the bottom of the pot into cold water. Stir beat until the frosting is lukewarm and add the vanilla. Continue to beat until the frosting is thick enough to spread on cooled cake. Frosts one single layer cake or a dozen cupcakes.