Mimi's Standby, Best Two-Egg Cake

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups sifted flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  2. Stir shortening to soften.
  3. Gradually add sugar to shortening and cream together thoroughly.
  4. Add vanilla.
  5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
  6. Sift flour with baking powder and salt.
  7. Alternate between adding some of the flour and some of the milk to the creamed mixture, beating after each addition, until both are completely incorporated.
  8. Bake in 2 9" round pans for about 23 minutes.

The chocolate frosting traditionally used on this cake dubbed it a "Chocolate cake."