Bo's Mississippi Mud Cake

This is one of my mother-in-law's favorite recipes.

• Ready In: 57 mins
• Yields: 1 nine x thirteen pan

Ingredients

• BATTER

• 1  cup water
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup cup butter
• 3  tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2  cups sugar
• 2  cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
•  miniature marshmallow, optional

• FROSTING

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 3  tablespoons cocoa powder
• 6  tablespoons milk
• 1  box confectioners' sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
2. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
3. In a saucepan, bring water, shortening, butter, and cocoa powder to a boil; cool.
4. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, and salt.
5. In a small bowl, combine eggs, baking soda, vanilla extract, and buttermilk.
6. Blend chocolate mixture with dry ingredients; mix well.
7. Add egg mixture; mix well.
8. Pour into prepared baking pan.
9. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Top immediately with frosting.
11. Sprinkle with miniature marshmallows, if desired.
12. FROSTING: In a saucepan, melt butter, cocoa powder, and milk.
13. Add confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract, and pecans.
14. Blend well and ice the cake immediately.