1 c. water
2 sticks butter (or 1 - 8 oz. tub soft butter)
10 tbsp. cocoa
2 c. flour, remove 2 tbsp.
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a saucepan combine water, butter and cocoa. On medium heat, bring to a simmer, stirring all the white. When it "curdles" or slightly separates, remove from heat.

Sift flour into large bowl. Add sugar and the chocolate mixture. Mix by hand or use an electric mixer and mix 2 minutes. Dissolve baking soda into buttermilk. Stir eggs and the buttermilk-soda mixture into the flour-chocolate mixture. Beat 2 minutes.

Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 inch square baking pans. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 25 to 30 minutes. Frost while still hot in pan.

You can make a "homemade buttermilk" which is quite good. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar into 1/2 cup milk. Let stand 5 minutes, use instead of the buttermilk.