Basic Vanilla Cake 2

Directions

1. 1
   Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and dust with flour.
2. 2
   Put the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a food processor.
3. 3
   Add the sugar and pulse a few times to combine evenly.
4. 4
   Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the dry ingredients.
5. 5
   Pulse until the mixture looks like coarse sand, with some pea-size bits of butter, about 5 times.
6. 6
   Whisk the milk, vanilla and eggs together in a liquid measuring cup.
7. 7
   With the processor running, pour in the wet ingredients and process to make a smooth batter (this takes less than a minute).
8. 8
   Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick or small skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
9. 9
   Cool the cakes on a rack for 15 minutes.
10. 10
    Then run a knife around the edges of the pans and turn the cakes out onto a plate.
11. 11
    Flip the cakes upright and cool completely on the rack, about 45 minutes.
12. 12
    (This is important-icing a warm cake is not a happy thing.)