As promised, here is a recipe for Red Velvet Cake. I didn't make it, as I didn't want to have a whole cake around to eat. But I did make one many years ago, when they were the rage. While reading this recipe, I noticed it calls for white vinegar and soda. That combination usually makes a recipe light. And the frosting calls for cooking the flour and milk first. Interesting.

So if you make it, please let me know. If you don't want to have to eat a whole cake, think about how nice it would be to share a slice or two with someone who could use a hug; maybe give a Valentine with it.

Sort of on the subject, remember those Valentine's shoe boxes we used to decorate and take to school? Do they still do that?

½ c. shortening 2 ½ c. sifted all-purpose flour

1 ½ c. white sugar 1 ½ tsp. baking soda

2 eggs 1 tbsp. distilled white vinegar

2 tbsp. cocoa Icing:

4 Tbsp. red food coloring 5 tbsp. flour

1 tsp. salt 1 c. milk

1 ts.p vanilla extract 1 c. butter, room temperature

1 c. buttermilk 1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. white sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two nine-inch round pans.

Beat shortening and 1 ½ c. sugar until very light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well.

Make a paste of cocoa and red food coloring, add to creamed mixture. Mix salt, one teaspoon vanilla, and buttermilk together. Add the flour to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Mix soda and vinegar and gently fold into cake batter. Don't beat or stir the batter after this point.

Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until tester inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes completely on wire racks.

To make icing, cook five tablespoons flour and milk over low heat until thick, stirring constantly. Let cool completely. While mixture is cooling, beat 1 cup sugar, butter, and one teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy. Add cooled flour mixture and beat until frosting is a good spreading consistency. Frost cake layers when completely cool.

My notes: It goes without saying, that once you frost the layers, put one on top of another, and continue frosting the sides. This frosting intrigues me! Has anyone made this? If you are taking this for a get together, you could embellish with HersheyKisses or shaved chocolate

Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day!