Cream shortening, add sugar gradually; then cream until fluffy. Blend in eggs. Mix cocoa, red food coloring, and hot coffee together to form a smooth paste. Blend into the cream mixture immediately. Sift flour, salt and soda together and add to cream mix alternately with the buttermilk. Blend in the vanilla. Pour into a well greased and floured pan (see below) Bake in a 350~ oven. 8" tube pan: 55-60 minutes 8" square pan: 70 minutes 2, 8" layer pans: 40-45 minutes ----