2 cups sugar
1 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 and 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
2/3 cup cocoa
2/3 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Grease and flour cake pans. (Hint: use cocoa instead of flour.)

Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this to the mixture slowly, alternating with the sour milk. Make a heavy smooth paste of cocoa and boiling water, adding more cocoa if needed. Cool slightly, add and blend well.

Pour into prepared pans and bake for about 35 minutes, or until inserted pick comes out clean. Makes a bit more than two layers.