2 sticks butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. buttermilk
3 oz. bitter chocolate, melted
1 tsp. vanilla

ICING:

1 stick butter
1 box confectioners' sugar
3 tbsp. cocoa
2 tbsp. coffee (more if needed)
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar; add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with buttermilk, ending with buttermilk and blending after each addition. When well mixed, add melted chocolate and vanilla. Bake in 3 (9") greased and floured round cake pans at 350 degrees until done, about 35 to 40 minutes.

To make icing, cream butter and sugar. Add the cocoa, coffee needed to give right consistency and vanilla. Use between layers and ice top and sides of cake. This makes a large cake and should serve 12.