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

Cream sugar, eggs, and shortening. Make a paste of food coloring and cocoa. Add to mixture; add flour with salt alternately with buttermilk. Add vanilla. Last of all fold in vinegar and baking soda mixture.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes in 2 (9-inch) pans. (For a nice Valentine's Day treat, bake in heart shaped pans.)

FROSTING:

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; cool. Cream sugar, butter, shortening and vanilla with mixture for 10 minutes (until light and fluffy). Blend in cool flour and milk mixture. Frost cake and decorate as able.