Let butter, eggs, and milk stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Sift together dry ingredients and set aside. Grease and flour cake pans. (If making a layer cake, line bottoms of pans with parchment paper.) Whip butter 30 seconds on medium/high speed. Gradually beat in sugar till light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition till just combined. Add vanilla; beat two minutes more. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beating after each addition till just combined. When all the flour and milk has been added, beat 20 seconds more. Spread batter into prepared pan(s). Bake at 350° 30-35 minutes or till toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool layers in pans 10 minutes before inverting on racks and removing paper. Cool thoroughly before icing. |