Chocolate Failure Cake 

1/2 cup boiling water
2 tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. soda
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans 

Combine water, cocoa and soda, stirring well. Set aside. Cream shortening, gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in chocolate mixture, vanilla and pecans. Pour into greased and waxed paper lined 13x9 pan. Bake at 425 F. For 30 minutes, or until cake tests done. Cool completely. Pour drippy icing on top of cake, cut in squares to serve. 

Drippy Icing

1 tsp. butter
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/8 tsp. vanilla 

Combine all in saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Cool slightly.