🍰 Baking the Cake:

1. Preheat and Prepare
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). This step adds air for a light, tender cake.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds, if using.

5. Combine Wet and Dry
   Mix in half the flour mixture, then add the milk and sour cream. Finish by folding in the remaining dry ingredients just until combined—don’t overmix!

6. Bake
   Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

🧁 Making the Frosting:

1. Cream the Butter
   In a bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time.

2. Flavor and Fluff
   Mix in the vanilla extract, milk or cream, and a pinch of salt. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.

3. Decorate
   Once the cake is completely cool, frost generously and decorate as desired. Add fresh berries or edible flowers for a springtime touch!