1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
2 eggs
2 1/2 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk
2 oz. red cake coloring
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. vinegar

Beat eggs and cream with sugar and shortening. Add buttermilk and flour alternately. Combine food coloring, cocoa, salt and vanilla, add to cake batter. Dissolve soda in vinegar, add to batter. Bake in 2 greased 8" cake pans. Bake 20 minutes or until done at 350 degrees.

ICING:

7 1/2 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter

Combine flour and milk in saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly until thick. Cool. Cream sugar, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Combine milk mixture with sugar mixture, blend well. Spread between layers of cake and over top. Sprinkle with coconut if desired.