Red Velvet Cake

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup

unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups

caster sugar (or fine white granulated sugar)

large eggs

1/4 cup

cooking oil

1 tbsp

unsweetened cocoa powder (plus 1 tablespoon extra for dusting)

2 1/2 tbsp

red food colouring (liquid, not gel)

2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

1 tbsp

white vinegar

2 1/2 cups

plain cake flour, sifted ( (or all purpose/plain flour))

1 tsp

baking soda ((bi-carb soda))

1 tsp

salt

1 cup

buttermilk*

14 oz

cream cheese (not spreadable), (at room temperature)

1/2 cup

unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

4 cups

confectioners (or icing) sugar

1 tbsp

lemon juice ((optional -- adds subtle hint of lemon))