Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whipped cream
- Fresh berries (optional for decoration)
- Chopped nuts (optional for decoration)
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- 9-inch round cake pans (2)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
- Piping bag (if decorating with whipped cream)
Step-by-Step Instructions
First things first: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In one of my favorite mixing bowls, I combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. I love the way the ingredients blend together—the smell of flour always takes me back to my childhood days of baking with my grandmother. In another bowl, I cream the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy, feeling like a cloud in my mixing bowl. It’s such a satisfying moment! (See the next page below to continue steps…)