Red Velvet Cake
["1 tsp. baking soda", "1 Tbsp. vinegar", "1/2 c. shortening", "1 1/2 c. sugar", "2 eggs", "2 c. all-purpose flour", "1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa", "1/2 tsp. salt", "1 c. buttermilk", "1 tsp. vanilla extract", "2 oz. red food coloring", "Custard Frosting", "flaked coconut (optional)"]
["Preheat oven to 350\u00b0.", "Dissolve soda in vinegar; set aside. Cream the shortening. Add sugar and beat well with electric mixer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in soda mixture. Sift together flour, cocoa and salt. Combine buttermilk, vanilla and food coloring.", "Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Bake 25 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool on racks. Spread Custard Frosting between layers, top and sides. Sprinkle with coconut flakes, if desired."]
["baking soda", "vinegar", "shortening", "sugar", "eggs", "flour", "unsweetened cocoa", "salt", "buttermilk", "vanilla extract", "red food coloring", "Custard Frosting", "flaked coconut"]