“Classic Butter Cake”

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preparing the Batter:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine Mixtures: Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until just combined; avoid over-mixing to keep the cake tender.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Baking the Cake:

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
2. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to cool completely on a wire rack.

Serving:

Serve the butter cake as is, or dust it with powdered sugar for a simple yet elegant touch. It’s perfect for an afternoon tea or as a comforting dessert.

Tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature to achieve a smoother batter and even baking.
• Checking Doneness: If the top of the cake browns too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time to prevent over-browning.

Enjoy baking and savoring this delightful butter cake, a classic favorite that never goes out of style!