Ingredients:

Cake:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup whole milk, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract

Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
Food coloring (optional)


Instructions:

1.Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2.Prepare the Cake Batter:
-In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
-In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
-Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
-Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

3.Bake the Cake:
-Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
-Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
-Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before decorating.

4.Prepare the Buttercream Frosting:
-In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
-Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
-If desired, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring to each bowl to create different colors for decorating.

5.Decorate the Cake:
Decorate the cake with the buttercream frosting and any additional decorations, such as icing flowers, as shown in the image.