1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 oz. red food coloring
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/4 c. cake flour
1 c. buttermilk
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. vinegar

Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Make paste of red cake coloring and cocoa. Add to creamed mixture. Add salt to buttermilk, and add to batter alternately with flour. Blend; add vanilla. Mix together soda and vinegar, and fold into batter. Bake in two 9 inch cake pans at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Split layers to make 4 layers.

ICING:

3 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Cook flour and milk until thick as oatmeal. Cool completely. Beat and add sugar, butter, and vanilla. Beat about 30 minutes.