100K Followers Vanilla Cake Recipe

I made this beautiful cake with my mom and sister celebrating 100K followers on Pinterest and for the start of my blog. Funny thing is this cake was made 7 months year ago and these photos have just been sitting here waiting for the story to be written. So now here I am and here's the recipe for this beaut. ( Madison did all the decorating, go figure. )

INGREDIENTS

1 cup unsalted butter , softened

½ cup vegetable shortening

3 cups granulated sugar

5 eggs , room temp

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup whole milk , room temp

½ cup buttermilk , room temp

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1½ cups unsalted butter , softened

5 cups powdered sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extra Pinch of salt    

2 - 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350º F.
Prepare 2 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray or you can use butter and lightly powder with flour. 
Using a mixer, cream together butter and shortening until light and fluffy.
Gradually add sugar one cup at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each cup before adding another. Then repeat the last step with each. egg making sure to fully incorporate before adding the next egg.
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Pour both the milk and the vanilla into a measuring cup and whisk together until mixed.
Add to the butter and shortening mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
Gently stir all ingredients until well combined, getting all ingredients from side of mixing bowl mixed in as well.
Evenly distribute cake batter between cake pans and place pans into oven.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove and allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack.
Proceed to frost your cake.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting //

Using mixer on a medium setting, cream the butter until it is smooth and has a lighter colour, roughly 3 minutes.
Add confectioner's sugar, ½ a cup at a time. After each cup has been incorporated, turn the mixer onto the highest speed setting and for about 10 seconds to lighten the frosting up.
Add vanilla and a pinch of salt and combine until well-incorporated.
Add heavy cream until the frosting has reached the preferred consistency.
For a firmer frosting, add more confectioner's sugar, a ¼ cup at a time.
For a softer frosting, add more milk or cream, a tablespoon at a time.