2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour (do not use self-rising flour)
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
3/8 c. cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. water
1/2 c. vegetable oil
3/4 tsp. vanilla

Optional:

1 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 1/2 tsp. vinegar
confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda, salt and nuts, stirring together with a fork. Stir water and the remaining ingredients into the flour mixture.

Pour into two ungreased 8 or 9 inch cake pans.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, for 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar or frost with Chocolate Butter Frosting (below).

Chocolate Butter Frosting:

1/3 cup butter, softened
2 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate, cooled
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk

Combine butter and melted chocolate which has cooled. Beat in the confectioners sugar. Add vanilla and milk. Beat until the frosting is of spreading consistency, adding a few tablespoons of confectioners sugar if mixture is too thin, or a few drops of milk if mixture is too thick.