A Special 60th Birthday Dinner

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare three 9 inch round layer cake pans; lightly grease the pans with shortening and dust with flour.
2. Batter:
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; whisk together to mix. Set aside.
4. In a small mixing bowl, stir the buttermilk and vanilla together. Set aside.
5. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
6. With the mixer still on medium speed, slowly add the sugar to the butter, either one tablespoon at a time, or in a very slow steady stream, taking from 4 to 8 minutes to add all of the sugar, and beating until the butter and sugar are fully incorporated and the mixture is a light, or pale yellow color, with a fluffy texture. While adding the sugar, stop the mixer occasionally to scrape the mixture off the paddle and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula so the mixture blends evenly.