2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
4 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup water
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Icing
1/2 cup butter
6 T milk
4 T cocoa
1 tsp vanilla extract
16 oz powdered sugar
1 cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the sugar and flour; set aside. In a saucepan combine the shortening, butter, cocoa and water; bring to a boil. Stir the melted ingredients to the sugar and flour. Add the eggs, milk, baking soda, cinnamon and vanilla and mix well. The batter will be thin. Pour into a lightly greased 11 x 16-inch pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Start making the icing 5 minutes before the cake is done.
In a saucepan combine the butter, milk and cocoa, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla, powdered sugar and nuts. Spread on the hot cake. Allow cake to cool completely before cutting.