1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
2 eggs, beaten
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/4 c. red food coloring
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. buttermilk
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda

Cream sugar and shortening. Add beaten eggs and beat well. Make paste with cocoa and food coloring. Add to mixture. Add vanilla and beat well. Sift salt and flour; add alternately with 3/4 cup buttermilk. Mix well. Mix vinegar and soda with remaining buttermilk; fold into first mixture.

Pour into two 9-inch round cake pans that have been greased and floured.

Bake at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes. Cool. Split both layers. Ice between layers and on top. Leave sides.

$300 Icing:

5 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1/2 lb. butter
1 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend flour and milk in saucepan. Cook until thick. Let cool completely. Beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until appearance of butter. Add cooled flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Ice between layers and top of $300 cake.