Red Velvet Cake

This dessert is a must for any Christmas party. I made it last year when we had some friends over around Christmas. I am planning to make red velvet cupcakes this year for a girls Holiday party! This is a really easy recipe, even if you've never made a layered cake before. It comes from Patsy Smith's cookbook, A Cookbook for my Southern Daughter.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vinegar

2 eggs

1 (1 oz) bottle of red food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla

Method:

Sift together dry ingredients. Add other ingredients in order and mix thoroughly. Bake in 2 greased and floured 8 inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine

8 ounces cream cheese

1 box powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Method:

Let margarine and cream cheese soften at room temperature. Cream well; add sugar and continue beating until smooth. Add vanilla and nuts. Spread on cake. (Nuts are optional.)