Best High-Altitude Birthday Cake

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease and flour the bottoms and sides of the pans, making sure to remove excess flour.

Step 2
Beat 1 ¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, until well incorporated.

Step 3
Sift together flour, 1 tablespoon plus ¾ teaspoon baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

Step 4
Mix milk, vanilla, and almond extract together in a third bowl.

Step 5
Alternate adding flour mixture and milk mixture to butter mixture; blend well. Evenly distribute batter between the 2 prepared cake pans.

Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 7
Remove cakes from the oven; let sit for 5 minutes. Let cool completely on wire racks before removing cakes from the pans.