2 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup (minus 2 tablespoons) milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs, unbeaten

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake layer pans and line bottom with greased parchment paper.

In a small bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Drop in shortening. Add 2/3 of the milk and the vanilla. Beat 2 minutes on slow-medium speed, scraping bottom of bowl often.

Add eggs and remaining milk, beating for another 2 minutes.

Pour batter into the two prepared pans.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Frost with your favorite chocolate or fudge frosting.