Grandmother Paul's Red Velvet Cake (Paula Deen)

Ingredients

For the cake

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon cocoa
• 2 ounces red food coloring
• 1 cup butter
• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

For the icing

• 2 egg whites
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 5 tablespoons cold water
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 cup miniature marshmallow
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. 1

   For the cake:.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 350.

3. 3

   Beat eggs; add sugar and butter and cream.

4. 4

   Mix cocoa and food coloring, then add to creamed mixture.

5. 5

   Sift flour and salt together.

6. 6

   Alternately add flour/salt mixture and buttermilk to creamed mixture.

7. 7

   In a small bowl, combine soda and vinegar, then add to mixture.

8. 8

   Pour into three 8-inch grased rounds.

9. 9

   Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.

10. 10

    For the icing:.

11. 11

    Cook egg whites, sugar, water and corn syrup in double boiler for 5 minutes and beat.

12. 12

    Add marshmallows; stir until melted.

13. 13

    Fold in coconut and pecans.

14. 14

    Spread between layers and on the tops and sides of the cooled cake.