For the cake:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee
• 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups cake flour
• 1/8 tsp teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips

For Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons half and half
• 3 cups sifted powdered sugar, more if needed to achieve the desired consistency (it should be thick, yet almost pourable)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or toffee bits (yeah, the toffee….it will make you cry!), optional