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

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour cake pans. In mixer at medium speed, beat butter, sugar and eggs. Add vanilla. Sift together; flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add to batter, mixing alternately with buttermilk. Pour evenly into pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Top with favorite frosting.