Grease and flour tube pan. Line bottom with waxed paper.

8 plain chocolate bars
2 sticks butter, softened
2 c. sugar
4 lg. eggs
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, sifted
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. buttermilk, mix with 1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. canned chocolate syrup

Soften chocolate bars until limp over hot water. Cream butter, sugar and salt. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat in soft chocolate bars. Add flour and buttermilk, alternately. Stir in vanilla and chocolate syrup. Pour batter into tube pan and bake in 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until cake tests done. Let set in pan while cooking frosting.

FROSTING:

2 c. sugar
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1 stick butter
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate bits
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Bring to boil in saucepan and boil first 3 ingredients for 1 minute. Turn off heat and add chocolate bits. Stir until melted and smooth. Add nuts. Turn cake out on plate. Put frosting on warm cake. May run down, but keep putting back on.