- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
- Mix Until Just Combined:
- Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as it can make the cake dense.
- Divide Batter and Bake:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in Preheated Oven:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Frost:
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, frost with your favorite frosting.
- Serve:
- Slice and serve your classic vanilla cake!
Feel free to get creative by adding flavorings like lemon zest, almond extract, or other extracts to the batter. You can also experiment with different frostings or fillings to customize your cake. Enjoy baking!