Fire Engine Red Cake and Not-Too-Rich Frosting

Mom got this recipe from Grandma Taylor. I recall making it one time when I was young. We made it this past summer with Mom. It was really tasty. I've always liked it ever since I first had it. I'm going to post three different recipes for Red Velvet or Fire Engine Red Cake. One is what I will call the easy version, a medium version and then the harder version. I think this is the hardest version.

Fire Engine Red Cake

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 oz. red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cocoa
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cup cake flour (sifted)
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

1. Mix vinegar and soda in a small cup and let stand.
2. Cream sugar, shortening and eggs.
3. Make a paste of cocoa and a little of the red coloring.
4. Add paste to the creamed mixture then add the rest of the coloring.
5. Stir in buttermilk and flour combined with salt; alternatively.
6. Add vanilla.
7. Stir in vinegar and soda before adding to mixture.
8. Mix well.
9. Pour into two-8 inch layer pans greased on the bottom only.
10. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
11. Cool thoroughly.
12. Split layers in half, horizontally.
13. Frost with the following recipe, letting it bulge out between layers, but do not frost sides; this shows off Fire Engine Red affect to best advantage; the cake is rich, so the not-too-rich-frosting is a good combination (this cake will keep well for a week in refrigerator).

Not-Too-Rich Frosting

1 cup milk
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar

1. Cook until thick, stirring continually, then cool.
2. Cream 1 cup white powdered sugar and 1/2 cup butter until very fluffy.
3. Stir in vanilla.
4. Combine 1 teaspoon of the cooled flour mixture and creamed sugar.
5. Gradually add the rest of the flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time beating all the time.