melanie's red velvet cake (homemade, not boxed)

Ingredients For melanie's red velvet cake (homemade, not boxed)

• NOTES USE A SIMPLE SYRUP MIXTURE WITH A LITTLE ADDED REAL VANILLA TO SPREAD ON EACH LAYER BEFORE ADDING THE FROSTING. YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO MAKE TWO BATCHES OF THE FROSTING AS ONE JUST DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH.
• 1 tsp

  baking soda
• 1 c

  buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp

  vinegar
• 1/2 c

  shortening
• 1 1/2 c

  sugar
• 2

  eggs
• 1 tsp

  real vanilla extract
• 1 tsp

  butter extract
• 1 oz

  red color (food)
• 3 Tbsp

  cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 c

  sifted flour
• 1 tsp

  salt
• NO-COOK FROSTING
• 1 lb

  (apr. 3.5-4 cups) confectioners sugar
• 1/2 c

  shortening or butter
• 1 Tbsp

  real vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp

  salt
• 5 Tbsp

  milk
• 1/4 tsp

  butter flavor extract (omit if using butter instead of shortening)