2 oz. red food coloring
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. buttermilk
2 1/4 c. cake flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix red food coloring with cocoa to make a paste. Let stand. Cream shortening with sugar. Add eggs and color paste and beat well. Add buttermilk, cake flour, salt, and vanilla; beat well. Remove mixer and add vinegar and baking soda. Mix by hand. Pour into 2 (8 or 9 inch) layer pans. Bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes.

FROSTING:

4 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. shortening
2 tbsp. vanilla

Cook flour and milk until thickened, stirring constantly. Cool. Cream sugar, butter, and shortening together and add flour mixture and vanilla. Beat 12 minutes to spreading consistency.