Let’s get started on this delicious journey with step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for a airy texture.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden and slightly springy to the touch.
7. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baking this cake is a sensory experience—listen to the gentle hum of the mixer, feel the flour slipping through your fingers, and most importantly, savor the buttery aroma that fills your kitchen.