Red Velvet Cake

A close friend of mine is a master at making Red Velvet Cake. We always plead with her to make this cake when we get together with friends. Just the name sounds like it is something made for Royalty doesn't it?

Red Velvet Cake is a lovely cake for special occasions as it is really pretty too. Take care to follow the instructions closely and you will

have a wonderful dessert to share with friends and family. It has such a nice rich chocolate flavor with a lite creamy icing.

Some people like to change the icing by adding a mixture of cream cheese, white chocolate and butter. Be adventurous and try it!

Ingredients:
2 T. unsweetened cocoa
2 ounces red food coloring
1 c. buttermilk
1 t. salt
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, sifted
1-1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. white vinegar
1 c. milk
5 T. flour
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1 t. vanilla extract

Instructions:
Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring. Set aside. Combine the buttermilk, salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Cream together shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the cocoa mixture. Beat in the buttermilk mixture together with flour, mixing until moist. Stir together baking soda and vinegar, then gently fold into the cake batter. Pour batter into greased 9" round pans. Bake in the preheated 350 ° oven for 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely before frosting. Refrigerate.

Icing:
In a saucepan, combine the milk and 5 tablespoons flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Allow to cool. Meanwhile, cream together butter, 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cooled milk and flour mixture, beating until icing reaches spreading consistency. Place icing in between layers and the generously on top and sides of cake.

Alternate White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing:
Melt the white chocolate and allow to cool. Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in melted white chocolate and softened butter until consistency of whipped cream. Place icing in between layers and the generously on top and sides of cake.