Delicious Desserts Marathon: Cake and More

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round cake pan to ensure the cake does not stick. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the milk and vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.

Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

While your cake is cooling, prepare the frosting by beating the heavy cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form, then mix in the vanilla extract.

If you'd like to use food coloring for decoration, divide the frosting into different bowls and tint them to your liking.

Once the cake is completely cool, it's time to frost it. Place the cake on a serving plate and use a spatula to spread a generous layer of frosting on top and around the sides.

Get creative with your decoration! Use remaining frosting to pipe rosettes or other shapes. You can also add sprinkles, edible flowers or fresh fruit for a beautiful presentation.

Your delicious cake is now ready to serve. Enjoy this wonderful dessert as part of our marathon celebration!