1 c. vegetable shortening
2 eggs
2 tsp. cocoa
1 1/2 c. sugar
4 oz. red food coloring
2 1/2 c. sifted cake flour
1 tsp. salt
1 c. buttermilk (or sour milk mixed with lemon juice)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. vinegar

Beat shortening and sugar. Mix in eggs and beat 10 minutes on high speed. Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring and blend thoroughly into sugar mixture. Combine flour and salt and alternately with buttermilk and vanilla to chocolate mixture, starting and ending with flour. Combine soda and vinegar, and carefully fold into batter. Bake in 2 x 9 inch greased and floured round cake pans at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes.