I think I was raised on the notion that paper towels are very valuable and even though you have a roll in arm's reach you never ever use it. (And let's not even get started on treasures like aluminum foil and wax paper!) But I can see that you're right that globs of pure grease are exactly what they're for. Thank you.
The cake itself was good, and the best I can say about the frosting was that it was edible. I'm coming to believe that the Fundamental Theorem of Baking is that sugar and fat heated to 350 degrees is nearly always delicious even if you wind up with something like a flat cake or a pie with soupy filling, and so there is little downside in learning the trade by making desserts for people who love you unconditionally. I should get in the habit of making a cake or two a week for my own desserts, but first I'll have to find a frosting recipe that starts with less than a (literal) pound of butter.
Re: vegetable shortening
The cake itself was good, and the best I can say about the frosting was that it was edible. I'm coming to believe that the Fundamental Theorem of Baking is that sugar and fat heated to 350 degrees is nearly always delicious even if you wind up with something like a flat cake or a pie with soupy filling, and so there is little downside in learning the trade by making desserts for people who love you unconditionally. I should get in the habit of making a cake or two a week for my own desserts, but first I'll have to find a frosting recipe that starts with less than a (literal) pound of butter.