Preheat oven to 175ºC (350ºF)

Grease two 9 " round cake pans ( I always line mine )

Beat softened butter and sugar in a mixer for 3 or 4 minutes until light and fluffy.

Add room temperature eggs, one at a time beating well after each one and then add the vanilla.

Stir together dry ingredients in another bowl. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, beating just until combined each time. Do not overbeat.

Pour batter in cake tins and bake for about 25 - 30 minutes.

Allow to cool in the cake tins for about 10 minutes before removing from the tins.

Cool completely on cake rack before frosting.