Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat one minute at medium speed. Combine flour, cocoa, soda, and salt. Add alternately with water to creamed mixture. Pour batter into 3 prepared layered pans. Bake at 350*F in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans about 10 minutes. Turn out of pans and cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Butter Frosting

6 T butter, softened

3/4 c cocoa

2 2/3 c confectioner’s sugar (10X)

1 t vanilla extract

1/3 c milk

Cream butter in small bowl. Add cocoa. Alternately add sugar and milk. Beat until desired consistency. Additional milk may be needed. Blend in vanilla.