Here’s a classic recipe for an Old Fashioned Butter Cake. This cake is simple, buttery, and delicious—perfect for any occasion.
### Ingredients
#### For the Cake:
– 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cups granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup whole milk
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
#### For the Frosting (optional):
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 1/4 cup whole milk
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
### Instructions
#### For the Cake:
1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. **Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
3. **Add Eggs:** Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
6. **Add Vanilla:** Stir in the vanilla extract.
7. **Bake:** Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
8. **Cool:** Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
#### For the Frosting:
1. **Cream Butter:** In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter until smooth.
2. **Add Powdered Sugar and Milk:** Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk, beating until smooth and creamy.
3. **Add Vanilla:** Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. **Frost the Cake:** Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of frosting on top of one of the cakes, place the second cake on top, and frost the top and sides of the cake as desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Old Fashioned Butter Cake!