In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Mix well with a wire whisk. Set aside. In a smaller bowl combine eggs, vanilla extract, buttermilk and baking soda. Mix well with wire whisk. Set aside.
In a pan on top of the stove melt butter, add cocoa and water. Bring to a boil. Remove from stove and pour into flour and mix until all flour is wet with a spoon. Add egg and milk mixture and continue mixing just until all ingredients are wet
Pour into a sprayed (I line my pan with Reynolds wrap and don’t spray. You can do either) 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan.(Could use a 9 x 13 pan, too). Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes testing for doneness at 20 minutes. If you use a 9 x 13 it may take a little longer to cook. Frost.
Frosting Instructions
Bring milk, butter and cocoa to a boil on top of the stove. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, vanilla and nuts. Spread over cake.
Notes
You can either stir the nuts into the frosting or spread on top of the frosting.