MAKE YOUR OWN CAKE MIX!

2 1/3 cups all purpose flour        1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 Tablsp baking powder                          3/4 teasp salt

1/2 cup vegetable shortening              1 1/2 teasp vanilla

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and

the salt.   Add in the shortening and the vanilla....with an electric

mixer on low speed, blend until the mixture resembles very

fine bread crumbs.

TO MAKE THE CAKE:

To this mixture, add in:

2 large eggs, at room temp

1 cup milk

2 Tablsp vegetable oil

Using electric mixer on medium speed, beat for 1 minute,

scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl well, then beat on

high speed for 2 minutes.  Spread batter in your choice of

pan and bake until a pick inserted comes out clean.

VARIATIONS

Chocolate       reduce flour to 2 cups, add 2/3 cupunsweet cocoa powder

Lemon            instead of vanilla, use 1 1/4 teasp lemon extract

Orange           instead of vanilla, use 1 1/4 teasp orange extract

Butter             use 1/2 cup unsalted butter instead of the shortening

Choc chip       Add in 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips to the finished batter

White              use 4 egg whites in place of the 2 whole eggs