1 stick butter
1 c. water
1/2 c. Crisco
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. buttermilk
1/8 c. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
1/4 c. crushed peppermint sticks

Add butter, cocoa and Crisco to water and boil. Sift sugar and flour into large bowl. Pour liquids mixture over flour and beat until smooth. Add buttermilk, eggs, soda, vanilla, salt, and cocoa. Mix well. Bake 35 minutes at 400 degrees.

ICING:

1 stick butter
6 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 box powdered sugar

Mix butter and cocoa in saucepan with milk. Bring to a boil. Pour immediately over sugar, add vanilla. Beat until smooth. While icing is hot, pour over cake as soon as it is taken from oven. You may add 1 cup of chopped nuts.