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

Cream butter, Crisco and sugar together. Add eggs, one at a time. Sift dry ingredients together; add alternately with milk. Add vanilla and food coloring. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until done.

FROSTING:

1 stick butter
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 box powder sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. nuts (optional)

Mix together and spread on cool cake.