Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake
Originally uploaded by wayfarer.

Still on the cutting board so not a very tidy picture but you get the idea..... It's red on the inside. I love this cake. This is one of the best discoveries i've made in the south.

Recipe:

2oz red food coloring
3 Tbsn. instant cocoa powder
1/2 cup veg. shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tbsn. vinegar
1 teaspoon soda

Mix together food coloring and cocoa powder and set aside. Cream together the shortening and sugar. Add eggs and coloring mixture. Beat 10 minutes. Add buttermilk. Slowly add flour, then salt and vanilla. Mix together vinegar and soda. Add to batter, mixing lightly by hand. Spoon into a 13x9x2 inch greased and floured baking pan. Bake about 30-40 minutes at 350 or toothpick comes out clean.

Icing:

1/4 lb margarine (1/2 cup)
6 Tbsn Crisco (they have a vegetable one but make sure to read the label to avoid pork)
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsn flour
2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream well the margarine, Crisco and sugar. Add the flour, one tablespoon at a time, milk and vanilla. Beat 12 minutes with electric mixer.

I use round pans but i just wanted to give the original recipe. I used regular flour too just sifted it twice.... And i like to add crumbs to the top especially when i get crumbs in the frosting. Just let them dry out a bit and then break up and sprinkle on top...

Recipe by Judy Gowan...taken from the book "Country Favorites"