1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups Wesson oil
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 (3 oz.) bottle red food coloring

Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last. Prepare 3, 8-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring each. Divide batter evenly among the three pans.

Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire racks 10 minutes before removing from cake pans. Cool completely before frosting.

Red Velvet Cake Frosting (Cream Cheese Frosting):

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
1 stick butter (at room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 box 4X powdered sugar
1 cup chopped nuts

Mix well. Spread on cool layers.