Baking a basic sponge cake is a great way to start learning about baking.

Here's a
step-by-step guide:

### Ingredients
- 200g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 200g (1 cup) sugar
- 200g (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt

### Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Sieve
- 8-inch round cake pans (2)
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack

### Instructions

1. **Preparation**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

2. **Mixing the Batter**

- **Cream Butter and Sugar**: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar
together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5
minutes with an electric mixer.
- **Add Eggs**: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- **Add Vanilla**: Mix in the vanilla extract.

3. **Combining Dry Ingredients**

- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently with a
spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a
dense cake.

4. **Baking**
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.
- Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted
into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

5. **Cooling**
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes.
- Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cakes, then invert them onto a
cooling rack to cool completely.

6. **Serving**
- Once cooled, you can serve the sponge cake as is, or add your favorite
frosting, fresh fruit, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

### Tips
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start.
- Measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.
- Don’t open the oven door during baking, as this can cause the cake to collapse.

By following these instructions, you'll be able to bake a delicious and fluffy

sponge cake perfect for any occasion.