1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sprinkling mix (optional)
1 cup milk
1/4 cup shortening
3 eggs
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 9-inch pans. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the flour mixture. Mix in the milk, shortening mixture and shortening mixture alternately with the egg white, then stir in the sugar. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.