Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9x2-inch cake pans or three 8x2-inch cake pans.
• Whisk sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
• Add oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and vinegar to a large measuring cup or medium-sized bowl. Whisk to combine.
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Whisk in red food coloring.
• Divide batter equally into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
• Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
• Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
• If cake layers have rounded tops, slice off the tops to level them. Reserve crumbs for decoration if desired.
• Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread frosting on top, then stack the next layer. Frost the entire cake evenly.
• Decorate cake as desired. Store loosely covered in the refrigerator until served.