Happy Feast Day!

(Saint) Valentine's Day always brings back delicious memories of a major sugar-buzz for about 2 days. Parties at school and at home. Exchange of Valentine's Cards. Etc. This year I thought it would be fun to get the boys involved some, if at all possible. It just so happened that about a week ago a friend emailed me for advice on baking a cake and converting it to cupcakes. She has a recipe for a delicious Red Velvet Cake. Thank you for sharing, dear friend. The boys loved it. I have not tried mine yet; hope to soon (once they are in bed).

Red Velvet Cake

Cake

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup crisco

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 t salt

1 T cocoa

1 cup buttermilk

1 t vanilla

2 oz red food coloring (about 2 of the larger bottles...make sure and check the label)

1 t baking soda mixed with 1 t white vinegar

Cream sugar and crisco. Add eggs and beat well. Sift together all dry ingredients (minus soda). Add 1/2 dry ingredients to sugar mixture. Add buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients. Mix well after each of these additions. FOLD IN soda and vinegar. Bake in well greased 9x13 pan for about 30-40 minutes at 375. OR for only 13 minutes for cupcakes.

Frosting

1/2 cup margarine softened

8 oz cream cheese softened

1 lb box (4cups) powdered sugar

1 t vanilla

1/8 t salt

Combine margarine and cream cheese. Gradually add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add vanilla and salt. Garnish with coconut if desired.