- ¾ cup butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
- Line a 2-pound loaf tin with a liner or parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- In a bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat ¾ cup butter and the sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Add 2 teaspoons of the vanilla extract. Add the eggs one by one, beating after each addition.
- Sift in the flour and baking powder and gently fold together with a wooden spoon until just combined.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared tin and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a skewer poked into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Leave the cake in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add the remaining ½ cup butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric hand whisk until smooth.
- Gradually sift in the powdered sugar about ¼ cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Once the icing starts to become a little too dry, start adding a splash of the milk in alternation with the powdered sugar. The final texture should be a smooth frosting that is spreadable but holds its shape. If it's too thick, add more milk. If it's too runny, add more powdered sugar.
- Spread the frosting all over the top of the cooled cake. Top with some sprinkles, if desired.