Award-winning Chocolate Sheet Cake

Description
This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Bivins Estate in Dallas, Texas in 1990. Tried and true. This is fabulous. I make it at least once a month for my neighbor who is a die hard chocolate fanatic.
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 2½ tablespoons cocoa
 * 1 cup butter
 * 1 cup water
 * 2 cups sugar
 * 2 cups flour
 * ½ cup buttermilk
 * 2 eggs beaten well
 * 1 teaspoon baking soda
 * 1 teaspoon cinnamon
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla

Icing

 * 4¼ cups powdered sugar
 * ½ cup butter
 * ⅓ cup cocoa
 * ⅓ cup milk
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla
 * ¼ cup pecans

Directions

 * 1) Put cocoa, butter and water in a large pan and bring to a boil.
 * 2) Let cool slightly.
 * 3) Beat eggs then add buttermilk, sugar and vanilla while beating.
 * 4) Mix dry ingredients.
 * 5) Add everything to large pan with cocoa mixture and mix well.
 * 6) Pour into a sheet cake pan and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.

Icing

 * 1) For icing beat and soften butter then slowly add remaining ingredients.
 * 2) Add nuts and put icing on cake.