2 c. sugar
3 tbsp. cocoa (heaping)
1/2 c. butter (oleo)
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend sugar and cocoa well. Add eggs, butter and cocoa. Mix until creamy. Add soda to buttermilk (mix in a cup measure - it will increase in volume). Add flour and mix well. Add boiling water and mix well. Batter will be thin. Add vanilla.

Pour into greased and floured cake pans (2 round or 1 sheet pan). Bake at 350 degrees. When the cake begins to look done on top test with a toothpick. It is done when toothpick is clean.

ICING:

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. sweet milk
2 tbsp. cocoa
3/4 stick butter (oleo)

Bring to a hard boil (when mixture is bubbling all over). Start timing for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool for about 30 minutes.

Begin to beat the mixture until it begins to thicken. You may add small amounts of the icing while thin to the cake and let it soak into the cake. When the icing begins to thicken, spread on the cake.