Aunt Virgie's Miami Beach Birthday Cake

Aunt Virgie and Uncle Harry live in St. Maries, Idaho. When my cousin, Jeannie, lived in Miami, my aunt loved to go and bet at the dog races, which is another story entirely. She also picked up this recipe, which is a great birthday cake.

1 cup (6 oz.) chocolate chips
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs OR 1 cup angel flake coconut
1/2 chopped walnuts
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter
1-1/4 cups sour or buttermilk
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grease and flour two 9-inch layer pans.

In a small saucepan, melt the 1/3 cup butter. Stir in the crumbs or coconut and nuts. Cool, then add 2/3 cup chocolate chips. Set aside.

Melt the remaining 1/3 cup chocolate chips. Cream the 1/2 cup butter. Gradually add the sugar and cream until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time. Blend in the melted chocolate and the vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together. Divide the dry ingredients and milk and add each alternately in two additions, mixing well after each addition. Pour into the layer pans and sprinkle with the crumb mixture. Bake at 350 F for 30 to 40 minutes, until done.

Cool the cakes completely. Fill and frost the sides of the cake and a small rim around the top with fluffy white frosting (marshmallow, anyone?), or frost with whipped cream.