Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK SQUARES

Category: Bars

1 cup water
1 cup butter
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 drops red food coloring (up to 4 drops), optional

Frosting
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 lb confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Dash salt
3/4 cup chopped almonds, optional

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 jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

For frosting, melt butter; add cocoa and buttermilk. Stir in sugar, vanilla and salt. Spread over warm cake; top with nuts, if desired. Yield: 15 servings