Old Fashioned Butter Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch x 2-inch baking pans and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add softened butter, milk, and vanilla. With a hand mixer, beat for 2 minutes, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl.
4. Add eggs and beat for an additional 2 minutes.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pans, dividing it equally between them.
6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven.
7. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
8. Frost with your favorite frosting. The recipe suggests using “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Frosting.

“Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Frosting:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine
• 2/3 cup Hershey’s cocoa
• 3 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• 1/3 cup milk (plus an additional few drops to make a nice consistency)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions for Frosting:

1. Melt butter and stir in cocoa.
2. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed to spreading consistency.
3. Add more milk if needed. Stir in vanilla.
4. Apply about 2 cups of frosting to the cake.