Cakes

Pantry:

1. Flour

2. Sugar

3. Baking powder

4. Salt

5. Vanilla extract

6. Powdered sugar (for frosting)

Dairy:

1. Unsalted butter

2. Whole milk

3. Eggs

Baking Tools:

1. Mixing bowls

2. Electric mixer (stand or handheld)

3. Whisk

4. Rubber spatula

5. Measuring cups (dry and liquid)

6. Measuring spoons

7. Cake pans (round or square)

8. Parchment paper

9. Oven thermometer

Miscellaneous:

1. Cooling rack

2. Serving plate

3. Frosting knife (for spreading frosting)

4. Cake leveler (optional)

Optional Ingredients:

1. Flavorings (e.g., almond extract, cocoa powder)

2. Nuts or fruit (for added texture and flavor)

3. Spices (e.g., cinnamon, nutmeg)

4. Espresso powder (for mocha flavor)

5. Food coloring (for colored cake or frosting)

Ingredients:

For the cake:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

- 3 large eggs, room temperature

- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

- 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature

For the frosting (optional):

- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

- 2 cups powdered sugar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes.

4. Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

5. Beat in eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to fully incorporate before adding the next.

6. Beat in vanilla extract.

7. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until combined.

8. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.

9. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. If desired, make frosting by beating butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, then add vanilla extract.

12. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.