Waldorf-Astoria Red Velvet Cake

MMM... My absolute favorite cake. My daughter had one of these at Christmas too. Since it is red and white it is a great dessert cake choice for either the Christmas or Valentine's Day holidays. Plus, it's not only yummy but beautiful too!

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup Shortening
* 1 1/2 cup Sugar
* 2 Eggs
* 2 ounces Red food coloring
* 2 tablespoons Cocoa -- heaping
* 2 1/4 cups Plain flour
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 1 teaspoon Vanilla
* 1 teaspoon Baking soda
* 1 cup Buttermilk
* 1 tablespoon Vinegar
* 1 teaspoon Butter Flavoring (if desired)

Frosting

3 tablespoons Flour
* 1 cup Butter (Not Margarine- you can tell the difference in the flavor).
* 1 teaspoon Vanilla
* 1 cup Milk
* 1 cup granulated sugar

Directions:

Cream Shortening, sugar and eggs.
Make a paste with coloring and cocoa and add to mixture.
Add salt and flour with buttermilk and vanilla.
Alternately add soda and vinegar and don't beat- just blend.
Bake in two 9-inch pans (greased and floured) for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Layers may be split to make four.

Frosting:

Cook flour and milk on low heat until thick.
Then cool (I put it in the freezer for this.).
Cream sugar, butter, and vanilla until fluffy.
Add to flour-milk mixture.
Beat until mixture is like whipped cream.
Spread on layers.
Sprinkle with nuts if desired

I hope you love this cake as much as I do!