Red velvet cake

A Southern tradition.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 1 two layer cake or sheet cake

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 2  cups  oil
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1  teaspoon white vinegar
• 2 (1 ounce) bottles  red food coloring
• 2 1⁄2 cups plain flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  tablespoons  cocoa
• 1  cup buttermilk
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1  box powdered sugar
• 1  cup  chopped  nuts
• 1 (3 1/2ounce) can coconut

Directions

1. Cream sugar and oil in bowl.
2. Add eggs and mix well.
3. Add the vinegar and food coloring and mix.
4. Sift the flour, soda, salt and cocoa together and add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk until all is mixed.
5. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix.
6. Pour into 2 (9 inch) greased and floured cake pans and bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or one 9 x 13 inch pan for 45 to 55 minutes, depending on oven.
7. Frosting--------.
8. Cream the margarine and cream cheese in a bowl and add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
9. Sift 1 box powdered sugar into mixture and mix well.
10. Add nuts and coconut and spread on cooled cake.
11. Hint: When using dark coated pans, decrease temperature to 325 and increase baking time 5 to 10 minutes.