2 oz. red food coloring
1/2 c. shortening
2 eggs
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3 tbsp. Nestle Quik powder
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. buttermilk (or 1 tsp. vinegar & 1 c. regular milk)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. vinegar

Combine food coloring and Nestle Quik powder; let stand. Mix shortening, sugar, eggs and food coloring paste. Beat buttermilk; add to sugar mixture. Add flour, salt and vanilla; beat well. Mix in by hand the soda and vinegar. Pour into 2 (8") greased and floured pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Cool. Frost with Red Velvet Cake Icing.

RED VELVET CAKE ICING:

1 stick butter
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
3 tbsp. flour
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix butter, shortening and sugar. Add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Then add milk that has come to room temperature and vanilla. Beat until smooth.