2 oz. red food coloring
3 tbsp. instant cocoa mix (drink mix)
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. cake flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. white vinegar

Mix food coloring and cocoa mix. Place shortening and sugar in mixing bowl. Cream well, add food coloring mixture; beat well. Add eggs, buttermilk, salt, vanilla and flour. Beat well. Dissolve soda in vinegar. Stir into batter by hand. Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 inch cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

AMERICAN BEAUTY ICING:

1 c. milk or Half and half
1/4 c. flour
Pinch of salt
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix flour, milk and salt; cook stirring constantly until creamy and thick. Cool completely.

Beat butter, shortening, sugar and vanilla with mixer, until fluffy. Add flour mixture, beat until fluffy.