Place the dry ingredients into a sifter but DO NOT sift yet.
Place the shortening into a mixing bowl and stir to soften.
Sift in the dry ingredients.
Add the apple cider and mix until all the dry ingredients are dampened.
Beat 3 minutes at low speed, or 300 strokes by hand.
Add eggs and beat 1 minutes more.

Pour batter into 2 9" round pans lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes.

This next part is sorta weird.
Split the layers. (I assume this means you now have 4 thin layers??)
Spread a layer with crabapple jelly.
Cover with the second layer.
Spread with 7-minute frosting.
Repeat.
Cover the sides of the cake with the rest of the frosting.