- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 ounces red food coloring
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cream together the shortening, sugar, and eggs.
- Make a paste with food coloring and cocoa. Add to shortening mixture.
- Add salt and buttermilk to mixture.
- Next add flour, vanilla, vinegar, and baking soda in that order. Mix.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in two 8 inch round greased and floured cake pans. Let cool.
- To Make Frosting: Cook 5 tablespoons flour and 1 cup milk until thick, and then cool.
- Cream together 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 cup butter or margarine and 1 teaspoon vanilla 'til fluffy. Add to flour mixture.
- Cut layers of cake in half lengthwise. Spread frosting on each half layer. Stack and frost over all.