According to Ask AI & Question AI www.iAsk.ai:

To make a cake, follow these detailed steps:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Tools
You will need the following ingredients for a basic cake:

• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ cup milk

Additionally, you will need:

• A mixing bowl
• A whisk or electric mixer
• A measuring cup and spoons
• A spatula
• A greased and floured cake pan (9-inch square or similar)

Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures that the cake bakes evenly.

Step 3: Prepare the Cake Pan
Grease and flour your chosen cake pan. This prevents the cake from sticking to the pan once baked.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, which helps create a light texture in the finished cake. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract. The eggs provide structure to the cake.

Step 6: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Whisk them together to ensure they are evenly distributed.

Step 7: Mix Dry Ingredients with Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with milk. Start by adding some of the dry mixture, then some milk, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this can lead to a dense cake.

Step 8: Pour Batter into Pan
Once your batter is smooth, pour it into your prepared cake pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly if necessary.

Step 9: Bake the Cake
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when it springs back lightly when touched or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10: Cool and Frost (Optional)
After baking, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about ten minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can frost it with your choice of frosting if desired.

By following these steps carefully, you will be able to make a delicious homemade cake that can be enjoyed on any occasion!

Top Authoritative Sources Used:

• The Joy of Baking: A comprehensive resource for baking recipes and techniques.
• America’s Test Kitchen: Known for rigorous testing of recipes ensuring reliable results.
• Food Network: Offers various recipes along with tips from professional chefs for home cooks.