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

Cream sugar, eggs and shortening. Make paste of food coloring and cocoa; add to mixture. Add flour with salt alternately with milk and vanilla. Last of all, fold in baking soda and vinegar. Mix soda and vinegar together. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes in 2 (9") pans which have been greased and floured.

FROSTING FOR RED VELVET CAKE:

1 stick butter
1/2 c. Crisco
1 c. milk
1 c. confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. vanilla

Cook flour with milk until thick; then cool. Cream sugar, shortening and butter. Add vanilla with mixer for 10 minutes, until light and fluffy. Then blend in cool flour and milk mixture. Frost when cake is cool.