3 1/3 c. sifted flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
4 eggs, well beaten
1 1/3 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together; set aside. Cream sugar and shortening until fluffy; add eggs. Add flour mixture and milk alternately, in small amounts at a time, add vanilla. Fill greased cupcake pans 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.

Variations:

Spiced Tea Cakes: Sift 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg into the flour mixture.

Snowballs: Bake plain or spiced tea cakes in tiny pans. Cool. Spread sides with plain icing and roll in moist coconut flakes.

Jelly Tea Cakes: Drop 1 teaspoon favorite jelly to top of batter just before baking; jelly will drop into cake.