Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven reaches the ideal temperature, allowing the cake to bake evenly when you’re ready to put it in.

Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. If you want to ensure your cake comes out perfectly without sticking, you can also line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper. This small step makes a big difference in the ease of removing the cakes later.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking them together. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and prevents clumps in your batter. Set this dry mixture aside.

In another large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Continue mixing for 3-4 minutes, until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving a light and fluffy texture in your cake!

Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully blended before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The eggs help bind everything together, and the vanilla adds that warm, inviting flavor we all love.

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start with a third of the dry ingredients, then pour in half of the milk. Continue alternating until everything is mixed in, finishing with the dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix—stir just until everything is fully combined.

If you’re going for a colorful look, now’s the time to add a few drops of food coloring. Gently mix until the batter reaches the desired shade. This step is perfect for coordinating with your baby shower theme!

Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Use a spatula to smooth the top of each layer. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cakes—if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, your cakes are ready!

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period helps the cakes set and prevents them from breaking apart.