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

Cream sugar and Crisco. Add eggs. Add red food coloring. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with buttermilk. Mix vinegar and soda and sprinkle over batter. Mix well, add vanilla. Bake in 3 pans at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

ICING:

Cook 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1 cup water until thick. Cool. Cream 2 sticks butter. Add 1 cup sugar and beat until fluffy. Add cornstarch mixture and beat until creamy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup coconut and 1 1/2 cups nuts.