2 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1 stick butter (I use butter)

Mix together.

1/2 c. shortening (Crisco)
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 c. water

Mix in saucepan and bring to a boil and pour in flour and sugar mixture and stir well. Add:

1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix well and pour into the greased sheath cake pan or jelly roll pan. Don't flour. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Start making icing about 5 minutes before cake is to come out of oven.

ICING FOR CHOCOLATE SHEATH CAKE:

1 stick butter (butter is okay)
6 tbsp. milk
4 tbsp. cocoa

Melt together and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add:

1 box (4 c.) powdered sugar
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat well and spread over hot cake. Leave in pan to ice.