Chocolate Buttermilk Squares - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup butter
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 -4 drops red food coloring (optional)
Frosting
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 lb confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 dash salt
3/4 cup chopped almonds (optional)

Preparation

In a saucepan, bring water, butter and cocoa to a boil. Cool.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Pour cocoa mixture over dry ingredients; mix well.
Combine buttermilk and baking soda; add to cocoa mixture along with eggs, vanilla and food coloring if desired. Mix until well blended. Pour into a greased and floured 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 20 minutes.
Frosting: melt butter; add cocoa and buttermilk. Stir in sugar, vanilla and salt. Spread over warm cake; top with nuts if desired.