Red Velvet Cake

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 ounces red food coloring 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup shortening 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon white vinegar

	Grease two 9 inch round pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring. Set aside.
	Combine the buttermilk, salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the cocoa mixture. Beat in the buttermilk mixture alternately with the flour, mixing just until incorporated. Stir together baking soda and vinegar, then gently fold into the cake batter.
	Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting. Refrigerate until ready to serve. I just made  NY cheesecake for the middle layer, I will post that recipe later. It is from my Juniors cookbook.
.	Frosting I just throw my frosting together  2 8oz cream cheese 1/4 cup butter 1 t vanilla Powder sugar Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla and enough powder sugar to your taste.