Grammy's Red Devil's Food

This was the standard birthday cake for the Freed kids (there were five)—so a recipe that Grammy baked often—always frosted with Seven-Minute Frosting. My mom says

Red Devil's Food Cake

1/2 c shortening or margarine
2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c sour milk or buttermilk
1 heaping t. baking soda dissolved in 2 T. hot water
2/3 c cocoa powder in 1/2 c boiling water
2 1/3 c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1 t vanilla
dash salt

Mix in the order given. Grammy notes that this is actually one of her mom's recipes. Bake at 350-degrees F until done.

Seven-Minute Frosting (a great one from Good Housekeeping, since I don't have her recipe)

1 egg white

3/4 c sugar

1/4 c water

1 1/2 t. light corn syrup

pinch salt

1/2 t. vanilla

Beat everything but vanilla in medium stainless steel bowl on low speed to blend. Place bowl over medium saucepan with 1-inch simmering water (don't let bowl touch water). Beat mixture on high speed for 7-minutes or until mixture stands in soft peaks and temp reaches 160-degrees F on candy thermometer.

Remove bowl from pan and beat mixture 3-5 mins longer or until cooled slightly and stiff, glossy peaks form. Beat in vanilla until blended.