1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa
2 ounces red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar

Cream shortening and sugar together. Add eggs, coca, food coloring and vanilla;beat. Stir in mixture of flour and salt alternately with buttermilk. Mix soda & vinegar, quickly stir into mixture, while still foaming. Pour into two 8-inch layer pans or 13x9x2 pan.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-35 minutes.

Frosting:

5 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine flour and milk; cook until thickened, cool. Add butter, sugar and vanilla beat well.