Makes one 2-layer cake
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for greasing the pans)
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups buttercream frosting, such as
basic
buttercream
Equipment
2 9-inch round pans
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Measuring cups and spoons
Cookie scoop or measuring cup, for dividing the batter
Instructions
- Heat the
oven to 350°F.
- Sift
together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare
the pans: Rub the bottoms and sides of the cake pans with a little butter,
shortening, or baking spray. Make sure to get into the corners and all the
way up the sides. Flour the sides and bottoms of the pan by scooping a bit
of flour into the pan, then shaking and tapping to coat the bottom and
sides of the pan with flour; dump out the excess. Alternatively, cut out a
parchment round and use this to line the bottom.
- Beat the
butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Cream together for about 3 to 5
minutes on medium spread (see above notes for more information).
- Add the
eggs one at a time. Beat until the batter is very smooth and
creamy-looking. Adding the eggs one at a time gives them a better chance
at incorporating into a smooth batter. Be sure they are room temperature
so the batter does not appear curdled.
- Beat in
half the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the sifted dry ingredients
with the mixer running at low speed. Continue to mix until incorporated.
- Beat in
the milk and vanilla. Alternate adding in the liquids with the dry
ingredients so the milk has a chance to be absorbed without needing to
overmix the batter. Stream in the milk with the mixer on low until
combined.
- Beat in
the remaining flour mixture until just combined and no more visible flour
remains. Stir a few times with a spatula to make sure no more flour
remains on the bottom of the bowl.
- Divide the
batter between cake pans. Use a scale or mechanical ice cream scoop to
evenly divide the batter. Smooth the tops with an offset spatula. Drop the
pans against the counter to shake out air bubbles.
- Bake for
25 to 30 minutes: When done, the cake should be puffed like a pillow,
golden, and pull away from the sides of the pan. When done, a toothpick
inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean.
- Cool for
15 minutes in the pan. Run an offset spatula around the cake to make sure
it's completely loosened from the sides of the pan.
- Flip the
rounds out of the pan, remove the parchment lining, and flip right-side up
to cool completely.
- Once cool,
frost and assemble the cake with the buttercream.
Recipe Notes
- The baked
cake rounds can be wrapped in plastic and kept frozen for up to 3 months.