Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp cayenne

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

6 tablespoons (3 oz.) cocoa powder

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

3/4 cup buttermilk or milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

Frosting:

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup powdered cocoa

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 - 5 tbsp buttermilk or milk or brewed coffee

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preparation

CAKE BATTER:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 9 x 9 in pan.

  2. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, salt, baking powder, spices and baking soda.

  3. Place 1/2 cup butter, cocoa, and 1/2 cup milk in a small saucepan. Cook to boiling, stirring constantly. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.

  4. Add the egg, 1/4 cup buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, chocolate chips and, again, mix well.

  5. Place batter in the prepared pan. Bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes. Test cake. Remove cake from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool.

  6. FROSTING (Prepare during the last few minutes the cake is baking): Combine 1/4 cup butter, cocoa, cinnamon and 3 tablespoons milk or brewed coffee in a small saucepan. Cook to boiling, stirring constantly.

  7. Remove from heat and add the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and nuts. Mix well. Spread on hot cake. Sprinkle with chocolate chips (optional)

  8. When cool, cut into 12 pieces. NOTE: If you double the recipe, bake it in a jellyroll pan.

340 calories per piece