Cocoa Butter Squares

Cocoa Butter Squares 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder 1/2 cup boiling water 1 1/2 cup sifted pastry flour* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/3 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup apple butter or peach butter 1/2 cup chopped walnut meats 1 teaspoon vanilla Thoroughly cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in the eggs. Dissolve the cocoa powder in hot water and add to the shortening mix. Sift flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and add to the shortening mix, alternating with the buttermilk, apple butter, and vanilla. Beat well. Add nuts, mix, and pour into a baking pan lined with parchment or waxed paper. Bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes, or until firm. Cut into squares and serve. *If you don’t have pastry flour, you can mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour minus two tablespoons with two tablespoons of cornstarch.