Basic vanilla cake

This recipe is also called the Pound cake.A favorite for palates which savor the essence of vanilla.
Note: It is mandatory that you use accurate measurements for baking.A slight variation in the quantity will alter to a great extent the texture and taste of the preparation.
Measurements:
Cup,Tbsp,tsp and stick (Butter is measured in stick quantity)
3 Tsp=1 Tbsp
1 Stick of butter=8 Tbsp
Serves-3 persons
You will need
All purpose flour(Maida)-1& 1/3 cup
Fine Sugar-1/2+1/3+1/8 Cup( half of 1/4 cup=1/8 Cup)
Baking Powder-1&1/2Tsp
Salt-1/4 Tsp
Baking soda-1/8 Tsp
Butter -1 Stick or 8 Tbsp
lemon zest or vanilla essence-1 Tsp
Buttermilk-1/4 cup
Large eggs-2
Method
In a medium sized bowl combine all the dry ingredients ie APF( All purpose Flour)(Maida),baking powder,salt,baking soda,mix well with a fork.Keep aside.
In a large bowl beat butter till it is smooth without any lumps
Then,add sugar ( entire quantity)
Beat for 10 mins-The color and texture of the butter will change to pale and fluffy respectively.
Add the vanilla essence.
Beat till smooth,add egg-1 by -1.
Then add 1/2 of the flour,Mix and fold.Do not over beat the flour as this will harden forming gluten in the cake.
Then add the buttermilk, next add the remaining flour.
Fold in the flour.
prepare a loaf pan for baking by spraying some butter or by rubbing some butter onto the sides of the pan followed by dusting some APF on the sides of the pan.Use APF and butter sparsely,just to cover the pan.
Heat the oven on 350 deg.
Spread the cake batter on the dusted pans.Do not mix or meddle with the batter to much.
Bake for 30 mins or till the cake is done.You can check if the cake is done by poking a tooth prick into the bottom of the cake.If the cake batter doesn't stick to the tooth prick ,the cake is done.
Transfer the pans to a cooling tray and remove the baked cake from the pan once the it is cool.Cut into slices and serve with a dollop of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce and roasted nuts.Yummmm!!