2 oz. red food coloring
3 tbsp. Nestle's milk cocoa
1/2 c. Crisco
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. buttermilk
2 1/4 c. cake flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda

Prepare coloring paste by mixing 2 ounces food coloring and 3 tablespoons cocoa. In a separate bowl, cream 1/2 cup Crisco with 1 1/2 cups sugar; add 2 whole eggs and coloring paste; beat for 10 minutes. SLOWLY add buttermilk and blend. (Sift flour 3 times before measuring.) Add 2 1/4 cups cake flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well. Stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Mix well and bake 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Red Velvet Cake Icing: Cream 1 stick of butter (use butter ONLY), 8 tablespoons Crisco, and 1 cup sugar. Add 3 tablespoons regular flour, one at a time. Add 2/3 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with mixer for 12 minutes.