The Classic Yellow Cake...

Micro two sticks of real butter for about 20 seconds.

Beat 1 3/4 cups sugar into the butter at high speed for about five minutes.

Beat in four large eggs and a tablespoon of vanilla or flavoring of choice - try Kahlua or bourbon or even maple. Try adding ground coffee at this point.

In another bowl, whisk 3 cups of flour and a tablespoon of baking powder and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

With your mixer on low, or with a wooden spoon, add 1/3 of your flour mix to the butter mix.

Beat in 3/4 cup of either buttermilk or plain yogurt.

Add 1/3 more flour; 3/4 cup more buttermilk or yogurt and then the rest of the flour until just barely combined.

Bake at 350 until done.

Everyone should know how to make a wonderful cake. Now...if you want chocolate, mix 1/2 cup cocoa in 6 tablespoons very hot water and add at the end.

Frosting is simple: in a food processor, process 1 stick butter and 4 cups of powdered sugar, add whatever flavoring you want. Add a tablespoon of milk, coffee, or orange juice or jam to make a flavored frosting. Too thick? Add more liquid...too runny? Add more sugar.

Have a great Sunday!