Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mix the milk and lemon juice together, stir and set aside.

Blend the shortening or butter with the sugar until both are well incorporated with each other.

Add lemon extract, eggs and lemon zest and blend again.

In another bowl, add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.

Add the flour mixture to the butter and egg mixture, followed by the milk and lemon juice mixture.

Blend everything together until a smooth batter forms.

Grease pans, dust with flour (bang out any excess flour) and divide cake batter between pans. Don't fill more than 1/2 way full.

Bake until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.

Approximate cooking times are: 6 inch rounds - ~23-25 minutes 8 inch rounds - ~20-23 minutes 9 inch rounds - ~18-21 minutes