Sunshine Yellow Celebration Cake

1. Preheat the Oven

First, set your oven to preheat. While the oven is warming up, grease a baking pan, line it with parchment paper, grease the parchment, and then lightly flour the pan. This will help the cake release easily after baking.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later.

3. Cream the Butter

Place the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cream the butter on medium-high speed until it becomes smooth. This step is crucial because well-creamed butter will help give your cake a light and airy texture.

4. Add the Sugar

Gradually add the sugar to the creamed butter while continuing to mix on medium-high speed. Allow the mixture to become light and fluffy, which should take a few minutes. This process incorporates air into the batter, making your cake rise beautifully.

5. Add the Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps prevent the batter from curdling, which can affect the texture of your cake.

6. Combine Dry Ingredients and Milk

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, as overmixing can make the cake tough.

7. Pour the Batter

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.

8. Bake the Cake

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The exact baking time is not specified, so keep an eye on the cake and test it periodically.

9. Cool the Cake

Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling the cake in the pan helps it set properly and makes it easier to handle when removing it later.

10. Remove and Frost the Cake

Once the cake is cool, carefully flip it onto a wire rack, peel off the parchment paper, and then invert it onto a serving platter. Frost with your choice of buttercream frosting. If you prefer to serve the cake directly from the pan, simply spread 3 cups of frosting over the top.