VERY BEST VANILLA CAKE

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1½ c. sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

4 large eggs

1 c. milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

22/3 c. all-purpose flour

Heat oven to 350°F. Coat two 8x2-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray; line bottoms with wax paper and spray the paper. Beat butter, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl with mixer on high speed 1 minute or until well blended. Add eggs; beat 2 minutes or until fluffy. Reduce speed to low and beat in milk and vanilla (batter may look curdled), then beat in flour just until blended. Divide batter between the two pans; spread evenly. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Run small knife or spatula around edge of cakes to release. Invert cakes onto wire rack; remove wax paper and cool completely.

PERFECT CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Perfect Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is essential w...