Micro two sticks of real butter for about 20 seconds.
Beat 1 3/4 cups sugar into the butter at high speed for about five minutes.
Beat in four large eggs and a tablespoon of vanilla or flavoring of choice – try Kahlua or bourbon or even maple. Try adding ground coffee at this point.
In another bowl, whisk 3 cups of flour and a tablespoon of baking powder and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
With your mixer on low, or with a wooden spoon, add 1/3 of your flour mix to the butter mix.
Beat in 3/4 cup of either buttermilk or plain yogurt.
Add 1/3 more flour; 3/4 cup more buttermilk or yogurt and then the rest of the flour until just barely combined.
Bake at 350 until done.
Everyone should know how to make a wonderful cake. Now…if you want chocolate, mix 1/2 cup cocoa in 6 tablespoons very hot water and add at the end.
Frosting is simple: in a food processor, process 1 stick butter and 4 cups of powdered sugar, add whatever flavoring you want. Add a tablespoon of milk, coffee, or orange juice or jam to make a flavored frosting. Too thick? Add more liquid…too runny? Add more sugar.
Have a great Sunday!