1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. cocoa
1 c. water
2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and flour 15 x 10 inch sheet pan. Combine butter, cocoa, and water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, remove from heat. Sift flour and sugar in large bowl. Add chocolate mixture and beat at medium speed until blended. Continue beating while adding buttermilk, eggs, soda, vanilla, and salt. Pour into prepared pan and bake in oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, let cake remaining in pan and frost with cocoa icing while cake is still hot. Allow cake to cool thoroughly before cutting.

COCOA ICING:

1 (1 lb.) box powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. cocoa
6 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans

Combine first 4 ingredients; mix well. Stir in vanilla and pecans. Spread on cake while hot.