1 stick butter
1 cup water
1/2 cup shortening (Crisco)
3 1/2 tbsp. cocoa
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk (may use 2 tsp. of vinegar in 1/2 cup measure and fill it up with regular milk in the absence of buttermilk)
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Bring the water, shortenings and coca to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat. Combine the sugar and flour in a large bowl. Pour the melted shortening mixture over the flour and sugar, combining well. Combine the buttermilk, eggs, soda and vanilla and add to other mixtures. Blend. Pour into a 12x18 inch greased loaf pan and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until done.

Icing:

1 stick butter, melted
3 1/2 tbsp. cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 pound box powdered sugar
1 cup nuts or coconut
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine butter, cocoa and milk in same saucepan used for chocolate mixture. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and nuts and blend. Pour over hot cake when it comes from the oven.