Ingredients (Standard Loaf – 8×4 inch pan)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter (soft, room temperature)
  • ¾ cup (150g) sugar
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

🔧 Equipment Needed:

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or whisk
  • Sifter
  • Loaf pan (8×4 inch)
  • Spatula
  • Oven

🔥 Step 1: Preparation

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Grease your loaf pan with butter or oil.
  3. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

👉 This ensures the cake doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.

🥄 Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

  1. In a bowl, add:
    • Flour
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
  2. Sift the mixture 1–2 times.

👉 Sifting removes lumps and adds air, making the cake softer.

🧈 Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar

  1. In another bowl, add soft butter + sugar.
  2. Beat for 3–5 minutes until:
    • Light in color
    • Fluffy and creamy

👉 This step is VERY important — it creates air pockets for a soft cake.

🥚 Step 4: Add Eggs

  1. Add eggs one at a time.
  2. Beat well after each egg.

👉 If mixture curdles slightly, don’t worry — it will fix later.

🌼 Step 5: Add Flavor

  • Mix in vanilla extract

🥛 Step 6: Combine Wet & Dry

Now combine everything carefully:

  1. Add dry ingredients in 3 parts
  2. Add milk in 2 parts

👉 Pattern:

  • Flour → mix
  • Milk → mix
  • Flour → mix
  • Milk → mix
  • Flour → mix

⚠️ Do NOT overmix — just combine until smooth.

🍰 Step 7: Fill the Pan

  • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan
  • Tap the pan lightly to remove air bubbles
  • Smooth the top

Optional:
👉 Sprinkle a little sugar on top for a crispy crust

🔥 Step 8: Baking

  • Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 35–45 minutes

✔ Check Doneness:

  • Insert toothpick in center
  • If it comes out clean → cake is ready

❄️ Step 9: Cooling

  1. Let cake cool in pan for 10–15 minutes
  2. Remove and transfer to wire rack
  3. Cool completely before slicing

✨ Pro Tips for Bakery-Style Cake:

  • Always use room temperature ingredients
  • Do NOT overmix (cake will become dense)
  • Use good quality butter for best flavor
  • Add 2 tbsp yogurt or sour cream for extra moisture
  • Do not open oven early (cake may sink)

🍫 Optional Variations:

  • Chocolate: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • Lemon: Add lemon zest + juice
  • Orange: Add orange zest
  • Marble: Mix chocolate + vanilla batter

🎯 Final Result:

You’ll get a:

  • Golden brown top
  • Slight crack in the center (perfect sign!)
  • Soft, fluffy inside
  • Rich buttery flavor