cakes

## A Classic Vanilla Cake Recipe

**Ingredients:**

* **For the Cake:**

    * 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

    * 1 teaspoon baking powder

    * ½ teaspoon baking soda

    * ½ teaspoon salt

    * 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

    * 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

    * 2 large eggs

    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    * ½ cup milk

* **For the Buttercream Frosting:**

    * 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

    * 3-4 cups powdered sugar

    * ¼ cup milk

    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**Instructions:**

**Preparing the Cake:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. **Cream Wet Ingredients:** In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

4. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

5. **Bake:** Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. **Cool:** Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto wire racks to cool completely.

**Making the Buttercream Frosting:**

1. **Cream Butter:** In a large bowl, cream the butter until smooth.

2. **Add Sugar Gradually:** Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with the milk. Beat until light and fluffy.

3. **Add Flavoring:** Stir in the vanilla extract.

**Assembling the Cake:**

1. **Level Cakes:** Once cooled, level the tops of the cakes if necessary.

2. **Frost and Stack:** Place one cake layer on a serving plate and frost the top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.

**Decorating:**

You can decorate your cake in various ways:

* **Simple:** A smooth coat of buttercream frosting.

* **Elegant:** Pipe decorative borders and swirls.

* **Festive:** Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or fruit.

Enjoy your homemade vanilla cake!