1 c. milk
3 c. flour (plain)
1/2 c. cocoa
1/4 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
3 c. sugar
5 eggs
1/2 c. Crisco
2 sticks butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 (1 oz.) bottles red food coloring

Cream butter, shortening and sugar. Sift all dry ingredients together. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat. Add dry ingredients, alternating with milk. Add vanilla and red coloring. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

FROSTING: Two tablespoons cornstarch cooked in 1 cup water until thick. Cool thoroughly and cream 1 stick butter and 1/4 cup Crisco with 1 cup granulated sugar. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla; then add the completely cooled cornstarch mixture and continue to beat until like whipped cream. Add 1 cup coconut.