Quick and Easy Vanilla Cake

I recently made a wedding cake for the first time, so I get it: There's a time and place for elaborate layer cakes that take days to bake and assemble. But sometimes, you just want a celebratory cake that doesn't require so much labor you need to nap during the party. That's where Senior Recipe Developer Molly Marzalek-Kelly's newQuick and Easy Vanilla Cakecomes in. It delivers the classic, nostalgic, yellow cake flavor that's likely to trigger childhood memories (and will make devoted fans of any children in your life, too). Even better, it comes together with just a little more effort than a store-bought cake mix.

The secret is in the butter: themeltedbutter, to be more specific. Rather than waiting for your butter to come to room temperature, all you need to do is melt it with the milk, then whisk directly into the dry ingredients. That's right — whisk it. There's no stand mixer needed! Instead, this batter comes together entirely by hand, all in one bowl. But despite this cake's simplicity, small touches like oil for moist texture and super-fragrantalmond extractfor flavor take it to new heights.

The rich chocolate frosting is also easy: mainly butter, confectioners' sugar, andcocoa(though it does require an electric mixer for its extra-fluffy texture). Don't want to break out the mixer?Chocolate GanacheorFudge Frostingwould be an excellent alternative. Whatever you decide, a garnish ofcolorful sprinklesis always a great idea.