Red Velvet Cake - as colorful as the season

Red Velvet cakes are the pride of many a Southern cook's Christmas bounty. It's  hard to imagine any other dessert that matches the Christmas decor as well.

Nancy Hamilton in Fort Myers, FL, shared this signature version from the popular and equally colorful Captiva Island restaurant, The Bubble Room. (If you doubt that, check out their website, www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com.)

The Bubble Room Restaurant Red Velvet Cake

3 3/4 cup self-rising flour
2 1/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cocoa
2 1/4 cup Sterling oil
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
3 oz. red food coloring

Mix all ingredients together and pour into three (3) 9-inch cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Icing
16 oz. cream cheese
12 oz butter
2 boxes 4X sugar
3 cups pecans

Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth then add sugar and mix. When ready, add pecans.