McCalls' Devil's Food Cake

A dear friend introduced me to this cake a dozen years ago. It was her birthday cake for years. Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks. So I thought I would find a red velvet cake to share in honor of her birthday.

CAKE

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon red coloring gel (see “thoughts on food coloring” below) or 2 tablespoons standard liquid red food coloring
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar

FROSTING
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted buter, room temperature
5 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch of salt