2 c. sugar
2 c. plus 2 tbsp. flour
1 c. butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 c. water
1/2 c. buttermilk or 1/2 c. milk and 1 tsp. lemon juice
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

ICING:

1/2 c. butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
1/3 c. milk
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Nuts (optional)

Melt butter with water and cocoa; bring to a boil. Pour over flour and sugar; blend well. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into greased and lightly floured 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

To prepare icing, melt butter with cocoa. Add remaining ingredients. This makes more than needed for one cake, so save 1/3 for ice cream topping.