Red Velvet Cake

Total Time: 52 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 22 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1 (1 ounce) bottle liquid red food coloring
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Recipe

• 1 beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, vinegar, and vanilla, beating well.
• 2 add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
• 3 add food coloring, beating until combined.
• 4 combine flour, and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• 5 beat at low speed until blended after each addition.
• 6 pour into 2 greased and floured 9-inch cakepans.
• 7 bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• 8 cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes; remove from pans and cool on wire racks.
• 9 spread cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.
• 10 cream cheese frosting: beat cream cheese and butter until creamy; gradually add sugar and vanilla, beating well.
• 11 stir in pecans if desired.