2 c. sugar
2 c. flour

Sift together and blend in large bowl.

1/2 c. shortening
1 c. butter
1 c. water
4 tbsp. cocoa

Bring to a boil and pour over flour mixture. Beat together then add:

1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat 2 minutes more. Bake in jelly roll sheet 11x15x1. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

While cake is baking mix up the icing:

1 cube butter
1 tsp. vanilla
6 tbsp. milk
4 tbsp. cocoa

Melt together in small saucepan and bring to a boil.

Pour above into mixing bowl containing:

1 box (lb.) powdered sugar
1 c. chopped nuts

Ice cake while warm. It spreads like the Texas open spaces - thus the name.