- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Sift Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This can take about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk:
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
- Pour into Pans:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool:
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting (Optional):
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, you can frost them with your favorite vanilla frosting or buttercream. You can also add a layer of fruit preserves between the cake layers for extra flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Slice and serve the vanilla cake as is, or with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Feel free to get creative with this basic vanilla cake recipe by adding your favorite mix-ins or flavors. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just satisfying a sweet craving, this vanilla cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!