<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Well I have been sitting on this recipe for awhile. Sorry! It is the favorite from scratch recipe of our family. I made substitutions to meet my dietary needs. I feed it to family and friends who had easten previous versions. They could not tell the difference nor could I. You must remember that I was a home economics teacher before being a librarian and I can cook circles around most anyone I just don't like to spend all day cooking. Short cuts, prepared foods and eating out were my goal as I am getting close to retiring. Well I guess the old body has had the last laugh! Here is the recipe. If you do not know the story behind it let me know and I'll send it along. rz 1/4 c. shortening 1 1/2 c sugar 2 eggs 2 t. cocoa --- I use 2 T. (personal preference) 2 oz. red food coloring 1 t. salt 1 t. vanilla 1 1/2 c. buttermilk 2 1/2 white rice flour or 2 1/2 c. Betty Hagmans mix 1 t. baking powder(This is not in the original recipe but I add it to ensure enough volume) 2 t. xanthum gum 1 1/2 t. cider vinegar 1 t. baking soda Cream shortening, sugar and eggs. Add the food coloring. Mix in buttermilk and vanilla. Mix all the dry ingredients. Alternatly add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the creamed mixture. Mix baking soda and vinegar and fold into mixture. Do not beat. Bake in greased/floured pans of your choice. Bake approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cake is done when it pulls away from the sides of the the pan and springs back to the touch. Frosting: 5 T. corn starch 1 c. milk 1 c granulated sugar 1 c. butter or margarine (I always use margarine) 1 t. vanilla Mix corn starch into milk. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Let it cool unil cold.(I put the entire pan in the refrigerator) Cream together sugar, butter, and vanilla. Add the cold milk mixture. Beat until it is of spreading consistency. When it is finished it looks like whipped cream. Until that time it will look curdly. I found that this happened very quickly when I used corn starch. Timing had changed. Eat in good health!! Enjoy! rz -- Reesa Zuber Library Media Specialist US West/WEA Learning Space Cadre Member & Share 105 Cadre Member Wasington Middle School 510 South 9th Street Yakima, Washington 98901 W 509.573.2307 H 509.453.2738 F 509.573.2323 mailto:[log in to unmask]