This classic Red Velvet Cake originated in the south, and brings back fond memories for many. After all, who can forget a cake of this color! Serves 8 or so. 

Cake Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. fine salt
• 2 TBS. cocoa powder
• 1 1/3 c. olive oil
• 1 c. buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/4 c. red food coloring (2 ounces)
• 1 tsp. white distilled vinegar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 3 TBS. flour
• 1 c. sugar
  
• 1 c. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. butter

For cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil and flour three 9" round cake pans.

In a large bowl, mix well, then set aside on wax paper: > 2 1/4 c. flour > 1 1/2 c. sugar > 1 tsp. baking soda > 1 tsp. salt > 2 TBS. cocoa powder

In another large bowl, mix together: > 1 1/3 c. olive oil > 1 c. buttermilk > 2eggs > 1/4 c. food coloring > 1 tsp. vinegar > 1 tsp. vanilla.

With mixer on low, slowly pour the wax paper-full of dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and smooth.

Pour cake batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake until the cake pulls away from the side of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Run a knife around the edges of cakes to loosen them, and invert the cakes onto a plate, re-inverting them onto a cooling rack, with rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.

Frosting

Choose a larger, microwaveable bowl (one quart-size or larger) to mix flour and sugar in, as mixture might bubble up some- this will reduce chances of spills in the microwave. To the large, microwaveable bowl, mix together: > 1 c. sugar > 3 TBS. flour

In separate, smaller bowl, microwave 1 minute or so, until hot: > 1 c. milk

Add hot milk to flour/sugar mix slowly, to avoid lumps. Microwave 2 minute more, stir. Return to microwave for only 30 seconds, if necessary, until mixture's bubbly hot. Add to hot milk/flour/sugar mix: > 1 tsp. vanilla

Cover bowl with plastic; cool completely.

To a standing mixer, add: > The sugar/flour/milk mix > 1 c. butter, room temperature

Cream until light, on high speed, until very fluffy. Frost cake.