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#### 1. **Prepare the Cake Batter:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
– In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy and light. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition.
– Add the sour cream (or buttermilk) and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined.
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; be careful not to over-mix.
#### 2. **Bake the Cake:**
– Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
– Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
– Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
#### 4. **Assemble the Cake:**
– Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving platter or cake stand.
– Spread a generous amount of frosting on top, smoothing it to the edges.
– Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
– Decorate with any optional garnishes such as shredded coconut, fresh berries, or chopped chocolate.
#### 5. **Serve:**
– Slice and serve the cake! The combination of the moist, tender cake and the rich, fluffy frosting is simply irresistible. Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk!
### Tips for Success:
– **Room Temperature Ingredients:** Ensure that your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps the ingredients combine more smoothly and results in a fluffier cake.
– **Don’t Overmix:** When combining the dry and wet ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid a dense cake.
– **Cool Completely:** Allow the cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting or sliding off.