Baking the perfect vanilla cake involves a combination of precise measurements, good-quality ingredients, and careful execution. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and aerate the dry ingredients for a lighter cake.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  5. Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  6. Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix, as it can lead to a dense cake.
  7. Pour Batter into Pans: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep a close eye on the cakes to avoid over-baking.
  9. Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Frost and Decorate: Once the cakes are completely cool, you can frost and decorate them as desired. A classic choice is vanilla buttercream frosting, but you can get creative with different flavors and decorations.

Remember that variations in oven temperatures and other factors can affect baking times, so use the toothpick test to determine doneness. Enjoy your delicious homemade vanilla cake!