Special-Occasion White Cake

Recipe is from Taste of Home.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 14-16

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup shortening
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups cake flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup cold water
• 4  egg whites

• Frosting

• 2  cups shortening
• 6  cups confectioners' sugar
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2 -3  tablespoons milk

Directions

1. In large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
2. Beat in extracts.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with water.
4. Beat just until combined.
5. In another mixing bowl, beat egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.
6. Pour into two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
9. In large mixing bowl, beat shortening, confectioners' sugar, extracts and salt until light and fluffy.
10. Add enough milk to achieve frosting consistency.
11. Place one cake on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting.
12. Top with remaining cake.
13. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.