Basic 1-2-3-4 Cake

This recipe came highly recommended from my friend June! Check it out and let us know what you think!

The holiday season is a great time to experiment with flavors!

Ingredients

* 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
* 2 cups sugar
* 4 eggs
* 3 cups sifted self-rising flour
* 1 cup milk
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above counter, then dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling racks. Cool completely and spread cake layers with your favorite frosting to make a 3-layer cake.

Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients

* 3 cups confectioners' sugar
* 1 cup butter
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream

Directions
In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium. speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.