gistfile1.txt

Baking a cake is a straightforward process! Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Basic Vanilla Cake Recipe
Ingredients:

    1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
    1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
    ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
    1 cup (240ml) milk
    2 large eggs
    2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

    Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
    Prepare the Pan: Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
    Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
    Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
    Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
    Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
    Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
    Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
    Frost (Optional): Once cooled, you can frost the cake with your favorite icing or enjoy it plain.

Tips:

    Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
    You can add flavors or mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit to customize your cake.

Enjoy your baking! If you have any specific questions or need help with a particular step, feel free to ask!