1/2 c. shortening
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tbsp. cocoa
2-oz. red food coloring
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 c. buttermilk
2-1/2 c. cake flour

Frosting:

5 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening, sugar and eggs. Make paste with cocoa and food coloring, add to creamed mixture. Mix salt and vanilla with buttermilk. Add alternately with flour to creamed mixture. Mix soda and vinegar and fold into mixture, do not beat. Grease and lightly flour 2 9 inch cake pans and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. In a saucepan, cook flour and milk until thick and smooth; cool. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat well. Frost cool cake.