1-Step 1: Prep and Preheat Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease or spray a 13×9 inch glass pan. Gather all ingredients this is a one-bowl wonder, but you’ll need a second bowl for the wet mixture.

2-Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Make sure your leavening agents are fresh this is key to a fluffy rise!

3-Step 3: Prepare Wet Mixture In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. The extra egg yolk adds richness and structure without making the cake heavy.

4-Step 4: Incorporate Butter Cut the room temperature butter into small pieces. Gradually add it to the dry ingredients using a mixer on medium speed. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand this should take about 2 3 minutes.

5-Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Add half of the liquid mixture and mix until just incorporated. Then add the rest and mix briefly just until combined. Do not overmix! Overmixing develops gluten, which leads to a dense cake.

6-Step 6: Bake Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).

7-Step 7: Glaze While Warm Cool the cake on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then, poke holes all over the surface with a skewer. Prepare the glaze (see below) and pour it warm over the cake. Let it sit for 30 minutes to absorb fully before serving.