Vanilla Bean Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. 2
   Grease and flour pans (or use cupcake tins with paper liners).
3. 3
   In a small bowl combine 3/4 cup of the buttermilk and vinegar. Add baking soda, set aside.
4. 4
   In a medium bowl, lightly combine egg whites, remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk, and vanilla. Set aside.
5. 5
   In your mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. To this,
6. 6
   add the butter and the buttermilk/vinegar mixture. Mix on low speed until combined then beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl and add a small amount of the egg mixture
7. 7
   and mix well, continuing to add the rest of the egg mixture in small increments, beating well after each addition.
8. 8
   Add boiling water and stir to combine. Beat on higher speed for 30 seconds.
9. 9
   Add to the prepared pans and bake about 35-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
10. 10
    Let cool completely on wire racks, then frost.
11. 11
    For the frosting:
12. 12
    I make a white buttercream frosting with this cake, and this time added 1 vanilla bean to the buttercream.
13. 13
    Cream together all of the frosting ingredients until desired consistency is reached. If too thick, add a bit of milk. If too thin, add more powdered sugar. Use a spatula to frost onto the cooled cake.