½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ounces red food coloring
2 tbsp cocoa (generous tbsp)
1 cup buttermilk
2 ¼ cups cake flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp white vinegar
Pre-heat oven to 350.
In stand mixer fitted with paddle, cream butter, sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. In a seperate bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, salt and baking soda. Turn mixer off and add food coloring. On low speed blend into creamed mixture. Turn speed to medium and add buttermilk and flour mixture, alternating the two and ending with flour. Add vinegar and vanilla and mix to combine 1-2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared 8" round cake pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness starting at 25 minutes. Remove cakes from oven and let cool completely before frosting with your fave cream cheese frosting.
*To make cupcakes...bake for 18-20 minutes.
