1/2 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. hot water
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter in a large mixing bowl; add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add water; beat well. Combine flour, cocoa, soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9" cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove layers from pans and let cool completely.