2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup water
1/2 cup shortening
3 1/2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tbsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. vanilla

Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine butter, water, shortening and cocoa. Bring mixture in saucepan to a boil, then pour it over the flour and sugar mixture. Combine buttermilk, eggs, soda and vanilla. Blend this mixture with flour and shortening mixture. Pour into a 12x18-inch greased and floured pan. Bake for 18 minutes at 400°F. Remove from oven and cover with icing and return to oven for four minutes.

ICING:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3 1/2 tbsp. cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 (1 lb.) box powdered sugar
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine in saucepan and bring to boil the butter, cocoa and milk. Add powdered sugar and beat. Stir in pecans and pour over cake. Return to oven for 4 minutes.