Grandmother Paula's Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda 
• 0.5 pound butter at room temperature 2 sticks
• 1 stick butter softened
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• 2.5 cups cake flour 
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 
• 1 cup coconut or shredded
• 1 pound confectioners' sugar 
• 8 ounce cream cheese 
• 2  eggs 
• 1 cup marshmallows melted
• 1 cup pecans chopped
• 2 ounces food coloring red
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 2 cups sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 tablespoon vinegar 

Equipment

• bowl
• oven
• mixing bowl
• toothpicks

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.
4. Mix cocoa and food coloring together and then add to sugar mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt.
5. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture.
6. Pour batter into three 8-inch round greased and floured pans.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Remove from heat and cool completely before frosting.
9. Blend cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl.
10. Add marshmallows and sugar and blend. Fold in coconut and nuts.
11. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cooled cake.