Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 13x9-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place parchment paper along the bottom for easy removal of the cake. For the cake, using an electric mixer, cream together vegetable shortening and sugar for 2 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time and add vanilla extract and lemon zest. Continue to beat for 2 minutes more. Add flour, baking soda, salt, buttermilk, and lemon juice. Beat for 2 minutes more on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 22 minutes, until cake springs back when gently touched. Cool completely before cutting into shapes and frosting. For the frosting, using an electric mixer, cream together butter and shortening. Add icing sugar on low speed until well combined. Add vanilla extract and milk, mix until smooth and desired spreading consistency. To assemble, cut cake into the shape of a Popsicle. You should be able to get 5 or 6 popsicles depending how large you want them. Cut each Popsicle in half vertically (from top to bottom) and fill with vanilla frosting. Replace the top half of the cake onto the frosted cake. Ice the top and sides with vanilla frosting. Place a wooden Popsicle stick into the bottom of each cake and cover each one entirely with sprinkles.
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