To bake a simple cake from scratch, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your cake pans with butter or non-stick spray to ensure easy removal later. In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, then beat in eggs one at a time followed by a splash of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt—and then gradually add them to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Stir until the batter is just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can make the cake tough.

Description: