Blossom Time Cake
["1 (1 oz.) sq. unsweetened chocolate", "1/4 tsp. soda", "3 3/4 c. sifted cake flour", "1 tsp. salt", "5 tsp. baking powder", "2 1/2 c. sugar, divided", "3/4 c. shortening", "1 2/3 c. milk, divided", "1 1/2 tsp. almond extract", "3/4 c. egg whites (about 6 eggs)", "1/8 tsp. red food coloring"]
["Melt, then cool, the chocolate.", "Blend in the soda; set aside while you make cake."]
["unsweetened chocolate", "soda", "cake flour", "salt", "baking powder", "sugar", "shortening", "milk", "almond extract", "egg whites", "red food coloring"]