Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars Recipe

At a Glance
Prep Time : 15min
Cook Time : 20min
Course : Cookies and Candy, Dessert
Special : Caffeine-Free, Easy, Egg-Free, Few Ingredients, For Kids, Large Quantity, Non-Alcoholic, Quick, Vegetarian
Type of Prep : Bake
Cuisine : U.S. Regional
Occasion : Back to School, Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Fall, Family Dinner, Labor /Memorial Day, Party, Shower, Spring, Summer, Superbowl, Winter

If you love fluffernutters, you'll love these. Using a cake mix and jarred marshmallow fluff makes these quick and easy to put together. These are as rich as a candy bar, so cut into small bars.
INGREDIENTS:
1 stick (8 Tbsp or 1/2 cup) butter, melted but not hot
1 box (18.25 ounces) dark chocolate cake mix
1 (16 ounces) jar marshmallow fluff
1 cup peanut butter, chunky or smooth
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick foil.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix and melted butter with a fork until crumbly.

Remove 3/4 cup and set aside. Spread the remainder of the cake mix crumbles evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

Remove lid of marshmallow fluff and warm in the microwave on High for 30 seconds. Drop dollops of marshmallow fluff evenly over the cake mix crumbles. Gently smooth marshmallow fluff over the crumbles, without dislodging the bottom layer.

Warm the peanut butter in the microwave 30 seconds on High. Drizzle evenly over the marshmallow layer.

Sprinkle reserved cake mix crumbles over the top of the top layer.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until marshmallow pops through and begins to lightly brown.

Cool completely before cutting. These are very rich, like candy bars, so cut them small. Store covered at room temperature.

Yield: 24 to 36 servings, depending on cut size

From Peggy Trowbridge Filippone,

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp Bars Recipe

At a Glance
Prep Time : 20min
Cook Time : 45min
Course : Cookies and Candy, Dessert
Special : Easy, For Kids, Large Quantity, Non-Alcoholic
Type of Prep : Bake
Cuisine : U.S. Regional
Occasion : Back to School, Birthdays, Boxing Day, Christmas, Easter, Fall, Family Dinner, Kentucky Derby, Kwanza, Labor /Memorial Day, Mardi Gras, New Year's, Party, Shower, Spring, Summer, Superbowl, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Winter

 

 

This recipe uses a packaged brownie mix, peanut butter chips, and sweetened condensed milk. The secret crispy ingredient is potato chips in the frosting. The end result is as rich as a candy bar with a fudgy brownie layer, peanut butter caramel, and crispy chocolate frosting. Cut these small because they are sure to cause sugar shock!

INGREDIENTS:
1 (22-1/2 ounce) package fudge brownie mix
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons water
1 cup peanut butter flavored chips
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup finely crushed salted plain thin potato chip crumbs

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 13 x 9-inch baking pan with non-stick foil.

In medium bowl, combine brownie mix, eggs, and water; mix well (mixture will be stiff).

Pour into foil-lined pan.

Bake 20 minutes; remove from oven. Sprinkle peanut butter chips evenly over brownie crust. Pour condensed milk evenly over chips.

Return to oven; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Cool thoroughly.

Melt chocolate chips and butter, mixing together well. Fold in crushed potato chips. Spread evenly over cooled bars. Chill 15 to 20 minutes. Peel down foil and cut into bars. Cut these smaller than you normally would, because they are extremely rich, much like a candy bar.

Yield: 36 bar cookies

Chocolate Cream Swirl Cake Recipe

At a Glance
Prep Time : 15min
Cook Time : 40min
Course : Cakes, Dessert
Special : Easy, Large Quantity, Low Sodium, Non-Alcoholic
Type of Prep : Bake, Blend / Process, Mix / Beat
Cuisine : U.S. Regional
Occasion : Fall, Family Dinner, Party, Picnic, Potluck, Shower, Spring, Summer, Winter

 

Deliciously rich and moist devil's food cake is swirled with a vanilla cream cheesecake filling and chocolate chips galore. Serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream on top for a truly decadent dessert.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (8 ounces) block cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature, divided use
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups miniature chocolate chips, divided use
1 (18.25 ounce) box devil's food cake mix
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
Optional ice cream or whipped cream for topping

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick foil or grease pan liberally.

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, 1 of the eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.

 

Fold in 1/4 cup of the miniature chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, the 2 remaining eggs, oil, and water. Fold in 1/2 cup of miniature chocolate chips. Pour chocolate cake batter into prepared pan.

Drop spoonsful of cream cheese mixture evenly over cake batter. Use a butter knife to swirl the cream cheese mixture throughout the chocolate cake batter, then top with remaining 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool chocolate cream swirl cake to room temperature on rack before cutting.

Yield: about 36 servings, depending on cut size

Miss Lousie's Chocolate Cake

This dessert contains chocolate cake mix, instant pudding mix, sour cream, yogurt, sugar, vanilla and almond extracts and white chocolate chips.

 

Ingredients:
1 box Duncan Hines dark chocolate cake mix
1 box (3.5-oz.) Jello French vanilla instant pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup canola oil
2 t. almond extract
2 t. vanilla extract
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 tub classic chocolate frosting
1/3 cup Kahlua coffee liqueur
Fresh whipped cream
Fresh raspberries
Pam cooking spray with flour

Method

Mix first nine ingredients in electric mixer until smooth. Stir in the white chocolate chips with a wooden spoon; batter will be thick. Spray a Bundt pan with Pam with flour; spoon in batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly; invert onto serving plate. Put frosting into a glass bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes; add Kahlua. While cake is warm glaze with the frosting. Let cool. Serve with fresh whipped cream and raspberries.

Notes: My family and friends love this recipe. It is fast, easy, and very very moist.
Number of servings: 12

Submitted By: Lisa Jenkins

Chocolate Caramel Candy Bars Recipe

If you love brownies and Milky Way candy bars, you'll love these rich bars that start with a chocolate cake mix. Let the kids help unwrap the caramel candies, but keep an eye on how many go into their mouths!

INGREDIENTS:
1 (14 ounces) bag caramel candies, unwrapped
1 (5 ounces) can evaporated milk, divided use
1 (18.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix
8 Tbsp (1 stick or 1/2 cup) butter, at room temperature
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided use
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick foil.

In a double boiler or non-stick saucepan, gently heat unwrapped caramel candies with 1/3 cup evaporated milk.

 

Stir often until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to room temperature but still liquid.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, butter, and remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Stir with a spoon until smooth. Batter will be thick.

Spread half of cake mix batter into baking pan, smoothing to an even thickness. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

Sprinkle 1 cup of chocolate chips over hot bottom layer. Slowly pour melted caramel over chocolate chips. Drop teaspoonsful of remaining chocolate cake batter over the top. Smooth the batter flat as best you can without dislodging the caramel layer. There will be open spaces. Return pan to oven and bake an additional 12 to 15 minutes.

Distribute remaining 1 cup chocolate chips evenly over the top of the hot candy bars, pressing slightly into the top to secure chips.

Cool candy bars to room temperature, then refrigerate 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Yield: 36 to 48 candy bars, depending on cut size

 

From Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Choco Berry Nut Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

There is nothing wrong with taking short-cuts when baking. These chewy, moist, and delicious cookies start with a cake mix and are loaded with dried berries, pecans, and chocolate chips. They are incredibly easy to make. Feel free to adapt with your own additions to the basic recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (18.25 ounces) vanilla or French vanilla box cake mix, dry
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup dried berry mix fruit, chopped to 1/2 inch pieces, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, and thoroughly drained
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

PREPARATION:
Using a large dinner fork, combine cake mix with vegetable oil and eggs. Mixture will be thick. Fold in drained dried berries, pecans, and miniature chocolate chips.

 

Chill dough for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.

Scoop dough by the teaspoonful and use your hands to roll and compress into small balls. Place on prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake about 10 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. Do not over-bake.

Cool on racks. Store leftovers in a covered container.

Chambord Raspberry Brownies Recipe

Start with a cake mix to make these fast and rich raspberry brownies. Chambord is a French liqueur made of black raspberries, vanilla, and honey. If you don't want to purchase a full bottle, look for the single serving bottles. This recipe uses raspberry-flavored chocolate chips which may not be available in your area. You can substitute fresh or frozen raspberries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or raspberry jam in the mix.

INGREDIENTS:
1 devil's food cake mix (18.25 ounces)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Chambord liqueur
1 cup raspberry-flavored chocolate chips
1/4 cup (about) confectioners' sugar

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil.

Combine cake mix, eggs, oil, water, and Chambord liqueur.

 

Fold in raspberry chocolate chips. Pour into prepared baking pan and smooth.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature before cutting. Dust with sifted confectioners' sugar before serving.

Yield: about 24 to 36 bars, depending on cut size

Pear-Cardamom Coffee Cake

This pear coffee cake is perfect for breakfast or brunch. A cardamom-pear syrup is baked on top of the cake batter.

 

Ingredients:
2 cups thinly sliced peeled pears
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Method

Prepare the cake by combining the first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook 5 minutes or until syrupy, stirring frequently; set aside to cool. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; set aside. Beat together sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well-blended; add egg and vanilla, beating well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat well after each addition. Spoon the batter into an 8-inch round cake pan coated with cooking spray. Arrange pear mixture over cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake begins to pull away from sides of pan. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Submitted By: mistrycook

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cake

A white cake mix is made with maraschino cherries and their juice, then covered with a frosting of cream cheese, powdered sugar and melted chocolate bars.

 

Ingredients:
1 Package White Cake Mix
1 Bottle Maraschino Cherries (reserve juice)
2 Bars of Ghirardelli Chocolate
1 8 oz. Package Cream Cheese, Softened
1/2 Cup Butter, Softened
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 Cups Confectioners' Sugar, sifted

Method

Mix cake as directed on package substituting juice for water (if not enough juice to meet water requirements, then substitute remaining with water.) Fold in cherries. Bake in a 9x13" pan as directed on package. Cool thoroughly. Frosting: Melt chocolate over boiling water. Cream softened Cream Cheese and Butter. Add Vanilla, mixing well. Add Confectioners' Sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until well blended. Add melted Chocolate, mixing well. Spread onto cooled cake immediately after preparing.

 

Submitted By: Teri Powdrill

Double Chocolate Mint Meltaway

This cake packs a chocolate-mint surprise. Chocolate-covered mint patties are baked into each chocolate cake layer as well as layered between the frosted cake layers.

 

Ingredients:
1 Package 2-layer-size chocolate cake mix
2 Containers Rich and Creamy Milk Chocolate frosting
30 chocolate-covered mint patties
Tubed Icing (optional)

Method

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9-inch round baking pans; set aside. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter into prepared pans. Put 10 unwrapped chocolate mint patties in a circle on each cake before baking. Bake about 30 minutes or until done. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Spread some of the icing on 1 side of each of the cakes. Arrange 10 more unwrapped candies on 1 of the cakes. Invert cake with no candy on top of other cake, frosting side down. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Use tube of icing to write on cake, if desired.

 

Submitted By: Spider monkey

Black & White Chocolate Home Cake Recipe

 

Start with a plain vanilla cake mix and end up with a luscious layered cake of vanilla and chocolate with white and dark chocolate chips. This cake mix is beefed up with an extra egg, buttermilk instead of water, and butter instead of oil. The instructions are for 9 x 13-inch sheet cake, but may be adapted for use as a bundt cake or traditional layer cake. Easy to make and impressive on the table.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (18.25 ounces) package vanilla cake mix with real vanilla beans
1-1/4 cups buttermilk or sour milk (see Note)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
4 eggs at room temperature
1 cup white chocolate chips, divided use
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided use

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick foil or grease with butter liberally.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, buttermilk, softened butter, and eggs.

Beat on low speed only until combined. Some small lumps may remain. Pour half of cake batter into a separate bowl and set aside.

To one half of the cake batter, fold in 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for later use.

To the other half of the cake batter, add the cocoa powder, mixing until combined. Fold in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, reserving the remaining 1 cup for later use.

Pour the dark chocolate batter into the prepared pan and smooth to even it out.

Carefully spoon the vanilla cake batter on top of the dark chocolate layer. Gently spread to an even layer without disturbing bottom layer.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Spread reserved 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of warm cake. Wait 5 minutes, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate on the top as a frosting. Let cool to room temperature. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup white chocolate chips on top of chocolate frosting and gently press into the frosting.

Cut and serve at room temperature.

 

Notes:
If you don't have buttermilk or sour milk on hand, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1-1/4 cups whole milk. Let rest 10 minutes to thicken before using.

The cake may also be made in a bundt pan or traditional round layers. Adjust the baking time up to about 50 minutes for a bundt cake and down to about 25 minutes for round layers. Test for doneness.

Yield: 24 to 36 servings, depending on cut size

From Peggy Trowbridge Filippone,

Decadent Chocoholic's Cake

If chocolate cake just isn't chocolatey enough, try this dessert recipe. Top it with nuts or coconut if you want to add some contrast to the flavor.


Ingredients:
2/3 cup butter
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
4 eggs
1 cup sugar (can use slightly less - depends on how sweet you prefer it) 1/2 cup flour (can use slightly less, depending on how moist you prefer it) 1 teaspoon baking powder
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 sour cream (can substitute with natural yoghurt)
2/3 cup heavy or whipping cream
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Finely chopped toasted nuts such as pecans, or flaked coconut (Optional)


Method

1. Preheat oven to 180 C/ 350 F/ Gas mark 4. Line a circular 9 inch cake tin with greaseproof or non-stick paper and grease the tin. 2. Melt the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over hot water. Stir gently until smooth. 3. Beat the eggs with the sugar, and then stir in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and vanilla extract. 4. Fold in the melted chocolate and butter mixture gradually. Then fold in the sour cream. 5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. 6. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. 7. To make frosting: Heat the 2/3 cup of whipping/heavy cream in a saucepan, then stir in the 9 ounces of chopped chocolate until smooth. If too thick, add more cream, if too thin, add more chocolate. Frost the cake, and then add optional chopped nuts or coconut if desired.

Submitted By: sandra021@gmail.com

Chocolate Raspberry Torte

A dense confection of chocolate and raspberry topped with a light chocolate ganache and chocolate shavings. Did I mention that there was chocolate in there?

Ingredients:

2 pkg. (8sq) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 pkg. (85g) Jell-O raspberry jelly powder
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping


Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9 inch round cake pan; line bottom with parchment paper. Microwave 4 squares of chocolate and butter in large bowl on medium 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir dry jelly powder and sugar into chocolate until well blended. Mix in eggs. Stir in flour and pecans until well blended. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out with fudgy crumbs. Do not over-bake. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Run small knife around side of pan to loosen edge. Invert onto serving platter; remove parchment paper. Cool cake completely. Meanwhile, melt 4 squares of chocolate in microwaveable bowl on medium 1 1/2 minutes or until melted; stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted; stir in whipped topping until smooth. Frost cake with whipped chocolate mixture. Garnish with chocolate strips. Melt 4 squares Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate in microwave on medium. Spread on parchment paper covered 15 x 10 in baking sheet. Refrigerate 30 min. Cut into irregular shape pieces (if chocolate becomes soft, place in refrigerator 5 min). Arrange on cake. Sprinkle with icing sugar. Store cake in refrigerator.

Notes: Prep 20 min. Total: 1 hr. 30 min. (incl refrigerating)

Submitted By: joycedsumara

Chocolate Caramel Candy Cake

This chocolate cake is topped with caramel ice cream topping, and then whipped topping sprinkled with Butterfinger candy bar pieces.

Ingredients:
Cake: 3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
6 TBLS cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2/3 cups vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 TBLS vinegar
2 cups water
Topping:
1 small container cool whip
1 Butterfinger candy bar
1 small jar (half a larger jar) of caramel/butterscotch ice cream topping

Method

Mix together dry ingredients for cake. Add oil, vanilla, vinegar and water, mixing until blended. Pour into 13x9 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool. Once cake is cool, poke a few holes in it. Pour caramel sauce over cake. Frost the cake with Cool Whip. Sprinkle crushed candy bar over Cool Whip. Best served same day. Refrigerate leftover cake.

Candy Bar Angel Cake

Toffee candy and a chocolate icing make this angel food cake special.

Ingredients:
1 pkg. white angel food cake mix
1 cup fat-free (skim) milk
1 pkg.(4 serving) chocolate instant pudding and pie filling
2 cups frozen (thawed) reduced-fat whipped topping
1 bar (1.4 ozs.) chocolate covered toffee candy, chopped
Method

1. Bake and cool cake as directed on package for angel food cake (tube pan). Remove cake from pan. Split cake horizontally to make 2 layers. 2. Beat milk and pudding in large bowl, using a wire whisk or hand beater, until blended. Fold in whipped topping. 3. Spread half of the chocolate mixture between cake layers; spread remaining mixture over top. Refrigerate at least 1 hour but not longer than 24 hours. Sprinkle candy over top of cake just before serving.

Submitted By: mrsespy

Blueberry White Chocolate Coffeecake Recipe

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
4 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 can (21 ounces) more fruit blueberry pie filling

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 to 2 Tbsp heavy cream or milk

Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line jelly roll pan, 15-1/2 x 10-1/2 x 1 inch, with non-stick foil or generously grease the pan.

Beat sugar, margarine, shortening, baking powder, vanilla, almond extract and eggs in large bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in flour.

Spread 2/3 of the batter in pan. Sprinkle white chocolate chips evenly over batter. Carefully spoon out and spread blueberry filling over chips. Drop remaining coffeecake batter by tablespoonsful onto pie filling.

Bake about 40 to 45 minutes, or until batter begins to turn golden. Let rest about 10 minutes while you make the glaze. Drizzle glaze over warm coffee cake. Serve warm or let stand until cool. Store in a covered container.

For the glaze, mix ingredients until smooth and of drizzling consistency. Use a zip-top baggie with a tiny corner cut off as a container and drizzle a wiggly pattern over the top of the coffeecake.

Yield: 36 servings
Recipe from: Peggy, Home Cooking Guide

Snack Attack Chocolate Cake

The batter for this deliciously moist and rich chocolate cake recipe contains cocoa powder and buttermilk, and those same ingredients are also used in the powdered sugar icing.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 cup water
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Ingredients for Frosting--
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
5 tbsp. buttermilk
4 cups (1 box) powdered sugar, sifted 1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Method

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9" x 13" pan. Sift together flour and sugar; set aside. In a saucepan over high heat, bring butter, cocoa and water to a boil, then pour over the sugar and flour mixture and mix well. Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla to flour mixture and mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes at 400 degrees or until toothpick inserted in cake center comes out clean. To Prepare the Frosting: In a saucepan over high heat, bring butter, cocoa and buttermilk to a boil, and remove from heat. Add sugar and vanilla, and beat with a wire whisk until well blended. Stir in nuts, if using. While frosting is still warm, spread on cake.