Recipes

Coat two (9-inch/23cm) round cake pans with cooking spray; line bottoms with wax paper or parchment paper. Coat paper with cooking spray; dust with the 1 tablespoon flour.

Beat granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes).

Add eggs and egg white, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Lightly spoon 2 1/4 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.

Combine 2 1/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt; stir well with a whisk.

Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with 1 1/4 cups milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Pour batter into prepared pans, and sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles.

Bake at 350 degrees F (180 C) for 30 minutes (If using non-stick or dark colored cake pans, bake at 325 degrees F (160 C), and bake for 25-27 minutes), or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. Carefully peel off wax paper or parchment paper; cool completely on wire rack.

Frost and garnish with pecan halves if desired.