Missy's Red Velvet Cake W/Cream Cheese Frosting

Preheat oven to 350°F Spray pans w/Pam Baking Spray or grease and flour two 9-in. cake pans; set pans aside.

With electric mixer on medium speed, beat eggs, shortening and sugar until well combined. Add the food coloring and cocoa, mixing well. Add the butter and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift the cake flour & salt three times. Slowly add to creamed mixture. Add the buttermilk and mix well.

In a small bowl, combine baking soda & vinegar, stirring until baking soda is dissolved. Once dissolved, add to batter and mix well.

Pour batter into the prepared pans & bake about 20 mins or until cake springs back upon touch. Let layers cool completely on wire racks.

While cakes are cooling, prepare frosting. Using an electric mixer, combine butter, vanilla & cream cheese until completely blended. Reduce mixer speed & gradually add sifted confectioners' sugar. Once completely blended, add chopped pecans, if desired.