1/2 lb. (2 sticks) butter
3 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 oz. (1 bottle) red food color
1 heaping tsp. cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 shy c. buttermilk
2 1/4 c. cake flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add cocoa and coloring. Add eggs and beat. Add vanilla. Sift flour, soda and salt. Add alternately with buttermilk. Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) pans (I line with waxed paper, too.) Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

FROSTING:

Make a sauce of 1 cup milk and 3 tablespoon flour. Cook and stir until thick. Cool (set aside). Beat 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter and 1/2 cup Crisco for 4 minutes. Add 1 cup sugar. Beat 4 more minutes. Add milk and flour. Beat 4 more minutes. Fills and frosts 3 (9 inch) layers.