3/4 cup shortening 3/4 cup butter 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 eggs 2 tbsp milk 1 1/2 tsp vanilla or 1 tsp almond or peppermint extract 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 to 1/2 tsp red paste food colour 1/4 to 1/2 tsp green paste