Chocolate Buttermilk Squares

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 cup water
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 drops red food coloring, optional
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup buttermilk
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash salt
3/4 cup chopped almonds, optional
Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring butter, cocoa and water just to a boil. Cool.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add cocoa mixture and buttermilk; mix well. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and food coloring if desired. Pour into a greased and 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.
Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. For frosting, melt butter with cocoa and buttermilk. Stir in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt. Spread over warm cake. Garnish with nuts if desired. Yield: 15 servings.