1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
t tablesppoons cocoa
1 teaspoon red food coloring
2 tablespoons water
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vinegar

*red food coloring is not enough.  i use entire bottle of coloring.  have 
also used the powdered coloring instead (no specific amount, just to visual 
taste).

*don't care for the cinnamon in this cake and i now leave out.

Cream butter and sugar until very light.  beat in eggs one at a time, then the 
cinnamon, vanilla and salt.
Mix cocoa, coloring and water then add to creamed mixture.
Sift the flour with baking powder and add to creamed mixture alternating with 
the buttermilk.  Blend well on low speed.
Dissolve soda in vinegar and gently but thoroughly fold into batter.
Turn batter into pans for 25 - 30 minutes or until center springs back when 
lightly pressed.  Cool several minutes in pans on rack then loosen and remove 
from pans.  allow to cool completely on racks.