How To make City School Red Devil's Food Cake

1/2 c Shortening
1 1/2 c Sugar
2 Eggs; beaten
1/4 c Cocoa
1/4 c Hot coffee or water
1 ts Red food coloring; optional
1 ts Salt
1 ts Baking soda
1 3/4 c Cake flour; plus
2 tb Cake flour
1 c Buttermilk
1 ts Vanilla extract
Recipe by: Los Angeles Times 12-22-96 Beat shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Mix cocoa into coffee or water and then stir in red food coloring. Beat into creamed mixture. Sift together salt, baking soda and cake flower. Add sifted dry ingredients to creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Add vanilla. Turn into greased 13x9-inch pan and bake at 350 degrees until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Frost with favorite frosting, if wished. Los Angeles School System. Source: Los Angeles Times 12-22-96.Makes 12 servings. Each serving, without frosting,
contains about:258 calories; 229 mg sodium; 36 mg cholesterol; 10 grams fat; 40 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams protein; 0.13 gram fiber. -----