Buttermilk Brownies

From the Kitchen of: Kathy Lowe

INGREDIENTS
1 cup water
1 cup butter
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
1 ½ tsp vanilla
Frosting
¼ cup butter
3 tbsp cocoa
1/3 cup buttermilk
2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring water, butter, and cocoa to a boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside. Mix flour, sugar, soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in eggs, buttermilk and vanilla. Add cocoa mixture and mix until well blended. Pour into greased 15 ½ x 10 ½ x 1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Frosting: Just before brownies are done, heat butter, cocoa and buttermilk on stovetop (or microwave) until warm and soft. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla and nuts. Frost brownies when still warm.