Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tbsp (10g) baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (2.5g) baking soda
• 1/2 tsp (3g) salt
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing the pan
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (save the pod for infusing cream or sugar!)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 1 tsp (5ml) pure vanilla extract (optional, but adds depth)
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3-4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped (reserve other half for another use)
• 1/4 tsp (1.5g) salt