1/2 c. shortening (can use butter)
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 oz. red food coloring
2 tsp. cocoa
2 1/2 c. plain flour
Scant tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. butter flavoring

PHILLY CREAM CHEESE ICING:

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 stick soft butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
1 box 10x confectioners' sugar
1 c. chopped pecans

Cream sugar, shortening and eggs. Make a paste with the food coloring and cocoa. Add to egg mixture. Add salt and flour together. Add vanilla, butter flavoring and buttermilk. Mix flour mixture and red mixture to egg mixture alternately; begin with flour, end with buttermilk. Mix vinegar and soda. Let stand then add to mixture. Fold into 2 greased 8 inch pans. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Icing: Mix all ingredients. Beat until smooth. Add milk if needed to smooth out icing.