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

Mix flour and sugar in bowl and set aside. Put butter, cocoa and water in pan and boil. Pour this hot mixture over flour and sugar mixture. Beat together buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, salt and soda. Pour into greased and floured sheet pan. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Immediately start making icing. Use same pan used for cake.

ICING:

1 stick butter
3 tbsp. cocoa
1/3 c. buttermilk
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. nuts (optional)

Boil butter, cocoa and buttermilk until slightly thickened. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and nuts. Spread on hot cake.