This is the first attempt at a red velvet cake.. I started to do homemade but I went semi-homemade instead.. I used a german chocolate cake mix and I did use 4oz of red food coloring and buttermilk.. So, that is where the semi-homemade comes in.. lol.. I made the icing like I do buttercream, but instead of all shortnening, I just used a little shortening and blocks of cream cheese. I think it turned out pretty good.. Tasted good too :)