1/2 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 oz. red food coloring (small bottle)
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 scant tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. vinegar

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cream shortening, sugar and eggs. Make a paste with food coloring and cocoa powder and add to mixture. Add flour and salt with buttermilk and vanilla. Alternately add baking soda and vinegar -don't beat hard, just blend.

Pour into two greased and floured 8-inch cake pans.

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until toothpick cones out clean.

Note: Layers may be split (using cake cutter) to make 4 layers.

Submitted by: Twila Johnson