1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
3 sq. bitter chocolate, melted
5 eggs, separated
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. boiling water

Cream butter. Add sugar gradually and continue to beat until well creamed. Add melted chocolate and mix well. Add egg yolks and beat mixture thoroughly. Sift flour with salt and add alternately with buttermilk into mixture. Stir in vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and blend into batter. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter. Pour into three 9 inch well greased floured cake pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

ICING:

1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
3 tbsp. cocoa
1 1/2 boxes powdered sugar
4 to 5 tbsp. milk

Combine ingredients and put on cake.