Ingredients:
Cake:
2 cups of self-raising flour
2 cups of granulated sugar
1 cup of butter
1 cup of strong black coffee (can be substituted by water)
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
Frosted chocolate:
¼ cup of butter
3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa
4 tablespoons of buttermilk, may require one or two additional tablespoons
2 to 2½ cups of powdered sugar
Toppings:
½ cup of chopped nuts
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
caramel sauce, for drizzling – about ½ cup
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350.
Grease and flour a large 13×9 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine self-raising flour and granulated sugar – set aside.
In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup of butter, ⅓ cup of cocoa and 1 cup of coffee. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Once this mixture has reached the boiling point, remove it from the heat.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the flour-sugar combination.
Mix the mixtures with a hand mixer at medium speed until they are well blended.
Add eggs and ½ cup buttermilk. Beat for another minute or so, until well blended. Pour the mixture into the prepared tray.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick or fork inserted in the middle of the cake should come out clean.
For the icing
In a medium saucepan combine ¼ cup butter, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and 4 tablespoons buttermilk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and use a wire whisk to mix 2 cups of powdered sugar. It is best to add 1 cup first, stirring until smooth, then add ½ cup at a time until the glaze is as thick or thin as desired. You can add more powdered sugar (1/4 cup at a time) or more buttermilk (1 tablespoon at a time), if necessary, until it is just the way you want it. Some people like thick icing, others like more icing.
Spread (or pour) the hot icing over the cake.
Then sprinkle chocolate and walnut pieces on top. It is best to do this while the icing is still hot, so that the chocolate chunks melt a little.
Just before serving, sprinkle the caramel sauce on top.