This has been a favorite family birthday cake for many years. This
recipe is probably from the fifties; I don't know the source.

Waldorf Astoria Red Cake

2 C flour (half cake, half all-purpose works well)
1 tbsp cocoa
1 C vegetable shortening (Crisco)
2 eggs
1 C buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vinegar
1 1/2 C sugar
1 tsp butter flavoring
1 tsp vanilla
1 oz red food coloring (one ounce)

Mix cocoa, flour, and salt. Sift three times. Add coloring, vanilla, and
butter flavoring. Add eggs one at a time, mixing. Beat well. Add milk
with flour mixture alternately. Fold in vinegar and soda.

Pour into three, 8 inch layer pans, well greased and floured. Bake at
350 F for about 30 minutes, until done.

Frosting

3 tbsp flour
1 C milk
1 C butter
1 C granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Cook flour and milk until very thick, stirring constantly. Cool to room
temperature.

Cream sugar, butter, and vanilla until very fluffy (about 15 minutes).
Add the cooled mixture and blend well with aspoon until the consistency
of whipped cream.

Frost layers, add a few crumbs of cake for decoration if desired.

--

Isaac