Red Velvet Cake

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons cocoa

4 tablespoons red food coloring

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 cup white sugar

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Grease two 9 inch round pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Cream shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar WELL. Add eggs and beat well.

3. Make a paste of cocoa and red food coloring. Add to creamed mixture. Mix salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla and buttermilk together. Add alternately the flour with the milk mixture to the creamed mixture. Mix soda and vinegar and FOLD INTO CAKE BATTER. DON'T BEAT OR STIR NOW.

4. Bake for 30 minutes.  Be careful not to overcook, will cause cake to be dry...** add 1/4 cup of veg oil to help prevent this

5. To Make Icing: Cook 5 Tablespoons flour and milk over low heat till thick, stirring constantly. LET COOL THOROUGHLY! While cooling, cream 1 cups sugar, butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat this well till light and fluffy. Add to flour mixture and beat until of a good spreading consistency. DON'T ICE CAKE TILL COOL.