Ingredients
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup whole milk
– 4 large eggs
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
Equipment Needed
– Two 9-inch round cake pans
– Mixing bowls
– Hand mixer or stand mixer
– Rubber spatula
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Parchment paper
– Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start off, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). The scent of a warm oven always fills me with excitement; it’s the prelude to the magic about to unfold. Grease your cake pans with butter and line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure easy release after baking. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into your mixture, creating that desired lightness in the cake. Once combined, add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. The bowl should smell absolutely heavenly at this point! Don’t forget to scrape down the sides to make sure everything is well incorporated. (See the next page below to continue steps…)