Betty Jane's Chocolate Squares

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup oil
• 1 stick butter
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• ¾ cup water
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Icing

• 1 stick butter
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 1/3 cup milk
• one 16 oz box confectioner's sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup toasted pecan pieces

Mix sugar and flour together in a large bowl. Melt oil, 1 stick of butter, 4 tablespoons of cocoa and water in a saucepan; add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Add eggs, buttermilk, soda, and vanilla. Pour into greased and floured 9"x13" pan.

Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes.

For icing, boil one stick of butter, 4 tablespoons cocoa and milk. As soon as butter is melted, remove from heat and add confectioner's sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and almond extract. Beat until well mixed. Fold in pecans. Pour over hot cake. Icing will firm up as cake cools.

Serves 12-15.

— JP