Basic butter cake

Method

• 1
  Preheat oven to 180C. Lightly grease a deep, 20cm round cake pan. Line base with baking paper.
• 2
  Beat butter, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl using an electric mixer, until pale and creamy. (see Notes)
• 3
  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, scraping down sides of bowl. Lightly fold flour into creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Spoon mixture into prepared pan, smoothing top.
• 4
  Bake for 40-45 mins, or until cooked, when tested. Cool in pan for 5 mins, before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• 5
  To make the vanilla icing: Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add butter, water and vanilla. Beat well with a wooden spoon until a smooth spreadable consistency. Spread over cooled cake. Decorate, if desired. Store in an airtight container.