Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting, optional)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting, optional)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting, optional)
  • 2-3 tablespoons whole milk (for frosting, optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and flour the cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  5. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract.
  6. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  7. Pour the batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  9. Once cool, frost with your preferred frosting using a spatula.