Southern Red Velvet Cake

Name: Southern Red Velvet Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Vegetable oil for the pans; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon fine salt; 1 teaspoon cocoa powder; 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil; 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce); 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows; Crushed pecans, for garnish; 1 pound cream cheese, softened; 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar; 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened