Grandma's Chocolate Cake

Since its my birthday today I thought I'd share my favorite cake recipe ever.  My grandma's chocolate cake.  I actually never had this cake when my grandma made it, but my mom shared it with me once I was old enough to appreciate a good recipe.  I've made it countless time and received nothing but praise.  It truly cannot be beat, in my opinion.  Its dense and moist and delicious.  Go make and celebrate my birthday with me. :)

Grandma's Chocolate Cake

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling

Heat oven to 350.  Prepare pans as needed*.  Sift dry ingredients together.  Blend in buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.  Add eggs one at a time.  Finally, add the boiling water.  You have to really mix it to get the water incorporated, but it should come together in just a couple minutes.  Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until the sides start to pull away from the side of the pan.

*I like to always use shortening and flour for my cake pans if I'm going to be taking the cake out of the pans.  Also, if I'm taking the cakes out of the pans (like to decorate, you know?) I almost always cut a piece of wax or parchment paper to the size of the bottom of the pan and do a little layer of shortening on the pan, then place the paper, then grease and flour the paper.  When I'm ready to flip my cake out of the pan I can easily get the bottom out and then gently pull the paper away for the cake to cool!  Easy!