Soft Melender Cake: A Deliciously Moist and Fluffy Delight

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix the wet ingredients:

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine the dry ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overmix.
Bake the cake:

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it out evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden on top and spring back when lightly pressed.
Cool and serve:

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar if desired, and slice into wedges.
Serving and Storage Tips: