Black Walnut Layer Cake

1/2 lb. butter
2 c. sugar
5 eggs, separated
3 c. cake flour
2 tbsp. cocoa
1 c. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. baking soda, stir in
buttermilk
2 c. walnut kernels, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp. vanilla or black walnut
flavoring
FILLING:
2 sticks butter
1 lb. confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
Canned milk, if needed
Save a tablespoon of nuts to garnish top of cake. Cream butter
with sugar. Add egg yolks, beat. Sift cocoa with cake flour and
add alternately to butter mixture with buttermilk (mixed with soda).
Add nuts and flavoring; mix thoroughly. Beat egg whites until they
hold peaks and fold in last. Pour in 3 greased and floured cake
pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until done. Soften
2 sticks butter and beat in 1 pound confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon
vanilla flavoring and (if needed) enough canned milk to make it of
spreading consistency. Mix well. Spread between layers, on top and
sides of cake. Sprinkle a tablespoon chopped walnuts on top.