Short Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 or 9 inch round pan, 12 muffin tins, or 6 jumbo muffin tins. Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar till combined. Cut in the shortening until it resembles coarse meal. A food processor works well. Stir in milk by hand until just combined; it should be lumpy like a muffin batter. Spread into pan or divide into muffin tins. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. The shortcake contains milk and it will ’sour’ if left at room temperature for more than a day or two; store in the refrigerator. To prepare ahead: Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar till combined. Cut in the shortening until it resembles coarse meal. This can be bagged and refrigerated or frozen until needed. Just thaw, mix in the milk and bake.