Grease, line with wax paper, grease again and flour three 8 inch or two 9 inch round cake pans. Preheat oven to 350.ø Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, add vanilla and beat until fluffy. Sift dry ingredients together; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Scrape down sides of bowl; beat 1 minute. Divide evenly among pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown, tops spring back when lightly touched, and cake shrinks from sides of pan. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes, turn out and cool to room temperature before icing.