The Perfect Cloud White Cake

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups (300g) cake flour, spooned and leveled
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks, 227g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 5 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) milk, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1 cup (2 sticks; 230g) unsalted butter, softened but still cool (Buttercream Frosting)
• 3 – 4 cups (375 – 500g) confectioners’ sugar (Buttercream Frosting)
• 3-5 Tablespoons (45-75ml) heavy cream or milk (Buttercream Frosting)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Buttercream Frosting)
• Pinch of salt (Buttercream Frosting)