1/2 cup shortening or butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. cocoa
2 oz. red food coloring
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat shortening, sugar and eggs for about 10 minutes on high. Make a paste of cocoa powder and food coloring. Blend thoroughly into creamed mixture. Mix salt into flour. Add to batter alternating with butter, milk and vanilla. Combine vinegar and baking soda. Carefully fold into batter. Bake in cupcake tins (each filled about 1/3 of the way) for 18 to 20 minutes for standard size cupcakes or 10-12 minutes for mini cupcakes.