Instructions
1. **Prepare the Oven and Pan:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. **Add Wet Ingredients (Cake):** Add the softened butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
4. **Mix the Batter:** Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat until just combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until the batter is smooth and well-aerated. Do not overmix.
5. **Bake the Cake:** Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. **Cool the Cake:** Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto the wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial before frosting!
7. **Make the Frosting:** In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
8. **Add Powdered Sugar:** Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until combined.
9. **Finish the Frosting:** Add 2 tablespoons of milk or cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable. Add more milk/cream sparingly if needed to reach your desired consistency.
10. **Frost and Serve:** Once the cake is completely cool, spread the vanilla buttercream frosting evenly over the top. Slice and enjoy!
Short Tips:
* **Room Temperature Ingredients are Key:** For a well-emulsified batter and fluffy results, make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* **Cool Completely:** Frosting a warm cake is a recipe for disaster! Ensure your cake is entirely cool before applying the buttercream.
* **Sift Your Powdered Sugar:** This prevents lumps in your frosting and ensures a smooth, creamy texture.
