How to make red velvet cake with sweet cream cheese icing?
Ingredients 1/2 cup shortening 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 2 tablespoons best-quality cocoa 1 1/2 ounces red food coloring 1 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 1 tablespoon white vinegar [use a large bowl and be careful as the mixture will foam] Method Preheat oven to 350° . Cream shortening; add sugar gradually. Add eggs, one at a time; beat well. Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring; add to creamed mixture. Add salt, flour and vanilla alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Pour baking soda/vinegar mixture over batter. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Bake in three 8-inch pans or two 9-inch pans for 30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean. Cool on cooling racks for 10 minutes before inverting on to plates or cardboard rounds. Cool completely before frosting. Frost with your favorite white [vanilla or cream cheese] frosting. For t
