Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

1 cup flour
¾ cup sugar
2 Tbsp cocoa
2 Tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup milk
2 Tbsp oil
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup cocoa
1 ¾ cups hot water
ice cream

Heat oven to 350º F. Combine flour, sugar, 2 Tbsp cocoa, baking powder and salt. Mix in milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Stir in pecans. Spread in ungreased square pan, 8×8x82 inches. In a small bowl combine brown sugar and ¼ cup cocoa. Sprinkle over batter in pan. Pour hot water over batter. Bake 40 minutes. Serve warm, topped with ice cream. Spoon sauce from pan onto each serving.