Cake
2 sups sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon regular ol' salt
1 cup water
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk -or- sour milk (1 Tablespoon vinegar and enough milk to make 1/2 cup; let sit several minutes)
1 teaspoon vanilla
In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt. In a saucepan, melt the butter and combine with the water and cocoa powder; bring to a rolling boil. Set aside.
In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat or whisk into the flour mixture; add cocoa mixture.
Pour into greased and floured 15 1/2" x 10" jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 min, or until cake starts to pull away from sides and middle springs back when lightly touched. Frost while warm.
Frosting
1/2 cup butter
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
6 Tablespoons milk
1 lb box powdered sugar (~3 1/2 cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
1-3 teaspoons sea salt, optional and to taste (I used Maldon sea salt flakes.)
Whisk the butter, cocoa powder, and milk over low heat until combined. Do not boil. Remove from heat and beat or whisk in the vanilla, then the powdered sugar.
Spread on cake. Sprinkle with the sea salt. Add nuts (the 1/2 cup for the cake and a bunch of lovable ones to help you eat it).