1/4 c. cocoa
1 c. water
3/4 c. shortening
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix cocoa and water in a saucepan. Add shortening and bring to a boil, cool slightly. Sift flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. Blend together eggs and sugar. DO NOT BEAT. Blend in cocoa mixture.

Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk, stirring after each addition, until well blended. Stir in vanilla. Pour in a greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool and frost.

ICING:

Melt 1/2 cup butter in 1/4 cup milk in a small pan. Mix 1/4 cup cocoa with 3 cups powdered sugar. Mix, add vanilla. Spread on cake, top with 1/2 cup nuts.