start oven at 350 degrees. Grease three 8-inch layer-cake pans, line with wax paper and grease the paper. Cream the shortening and sugar thoroughly. Add egg yolks and vanilla;beat well. Sift dry ingredients together; add alternately with milk. Fold in egg whites. Bake in prepared pans in oven for 30 minutes. Take cake out of oven and let cool. Frost with your favorite frosting, i usually use a white frosting and decorate with red, white, and blue for the fourth of july.