Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). A properly heated oven is essential for ensuring your cake bakes evenly.
2. While your oven is preheating, prepare the baking pans. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter or cooking spray.
3. After greasing, dust them lightly with flour to prevent the cake from sticking, ensuring that your cake releases cleanly from the pans after baking. Set the pans aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients:
   • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
   • 1 1/4 cups of sugar
   • 1 tablespoon of baking powder
   • 1 teaspoon of salt
2. Sifting helps incorporate air into the dry ingredients, resulting in a lighter cake texture.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

1. To the bowl of dry ingredients, add the following wet ingredients:
   • 1/2 cup of softened butter (ensure the butter is at room temperature for easy mixing)
   • 1 cup of milk
   • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed for 2 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated. The mixture should be smooth, light, and creamy.

Step 4: Incorporate the Eggs

1. After the wet ingredients are well-mixed, add 2 eggs to the batter.
2. Beat the mixture for another 2 minutes. This step ensures the eggs are fully blended and the cake batter is light and airy.
   • The batter should now be smooth and free of lumps, with a light yellow color.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

1. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Use a spatula to smooth out the tops of the batter for even baking.
2. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.
3. To check if the cakes are done, insert a toothpick into the center of each cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is fully baked.
4. Once done, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes, carefully turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack and let them cool completely before serving or frosting.