Basic 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 Cake

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round pans.

Step 2
Beat butter and 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color.

Step 3
In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks well, then add to butter mixture.

Step 4
Sift together flour and baking powder. Add alternately with the milk to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat well. Add vanilla.

Step 5
Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add 1 cup sugar to the egg whites. Fold into cake batter. Divide evenly into prepared pans.

Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.