This is a great recipe to use when you want to make cupcakes and don't have a box mix. It's easy and yummy!
2 cups flour
1 ½ cups sugar
2 ½ t baking powder
1 t salt
½ shortening
¾ cup half and half or milk
1 T vanilla
2 large eggs
Set oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the flour with sugar, baking powder and salt until combined. Add in the shortening, cream or milk, vanilla and eggs and beat on medium speed of an electric mixer scraping the bowl constantly until just blended. The batter will be thick, if desired you may add in a few more tablespoons cream or milk. Pour (or use your large cookie scoop) into paper-lined regular size muffin tins filling under just three-quarters full. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cupcakes test done. Do not overbake as they will be dry. Immediately remove from pans. Cool completely before frosting.
