Texas Fudge Cake

This is a cake that Grandma Haynie makes; it's Dad's favorite, he requests it for his birthday every year!

2 c flour
1/2 t salt
2 c sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c shortening
4 T cocoa
1 c water
2 eggs
1 t soda
1/2 c buttermilk
1 t vanilla

Sift flour, sugar, salt and soda together in a large bowl. Put butter, shortening, cocoa and water in saucepan and bring just to a boil (do not allow it to continue after reaching boiling point). Add mixture to sugar and flour mixture and mix well. Add beaten eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and stir until smooth. Pour into prepared 8x11 cake pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Icing:
1 stick butter
1 (6 oz) pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 T milk
1 box (3 3/4 c) powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
2 c chopped pecans

Put butter, chocolate chips and milk in a saucepan. Just bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add sugar and vanilla. beat with mixer until smooth. Add nuts. Pour on hot cake. Allow cake to cool a little and refrigerate until cool.