Starlight Cake

STARLIGHT CAKE and VARIATIONS

2 - cups all purpose flour
1 + 1/2 - cups sugar
3 + 1/2 - teaspoons baking powder
1 - teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening softened(half butter or margarine if desired)
1 - cup milk
1 - teaspoon vanilla
3 - eggs

HEAT OVEN: 350.
GREASE AND FLOUR: baking pans to be used

BEAT: all ingredients in large bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds.
BEAT: 3 minutes high speed, scraping bowl frequently.

POUR: into pan(s)
BAKE: until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

OBLONG PAN: 40-45 MINUTES
LAYER CAKES: 30-35 MINUTES
CUPCAKES: 20 -MINUTES

COOL: FROST or DUST with icing sugar if desired, or use the Fluffy Frosting recipe on this blog.

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VARIATIONS:

ORANGE STARLIGHT:
Substitute: 1 tablespoon grated orange peel for the vanilla.

EGGNOG CAKE:
Substitute: rum flavoring for the vanilla. Beat in 1-teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4-teaspoon ground ginger.

STARLIGHT CUPCAKES:
Pour batter into paper-lined medium muffin cups, filling each about half full.
Bake: 20-minutes - Yield: 3-dozen