Mocha Devil's Food Cake

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup buttermilk

Mocha Icing
1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
6 tablespoons strong coffee
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whole almonds, optional

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Sift together all dry ingredients; add alternately with buttermilk to creamed mixture. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. cake pans.

Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool. For icing, mix all ingredients except nuts until smooth. Frost one cake layer; top with second layer and frost entire cake. Garnish with almonds if desired. Makes 12 servings.