Black-and-White Cake

Image courtesy of Edward Bowleg III.

When it comes to fashion, New York-based stylist Edward Bowleg III knows when it's essential to stick to the basics—and when to give his modern spin, with sharp silhouettes, tailored suits, and crisp leather sprinkled in between. He has an eye for what works, and he applies this to his dessert of choice, too. “I have an insatiable sweet tooth, so I cannot resist a slice of cake,” Bowleg tells Family Style. “I don't need it to be fancy,” he adds of his penchant for this classic dessert. Instead, he opts for a tried-and-true chocolate and vanilla cake, topped with rich buttercream frosting.

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Ingredients

For the cake

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk

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For the frosting

• 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup cream or milk plus more as needed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

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Instructions

For the cake

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and set aside. 
2. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and then add sugar. The mixture should look pale yellow and fluffy when done.
3. Add vanilla and eggs, being sure to scrape the bowl down in between so everything is evenly mixed.
4. Add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk to help the butter mixture combine evenly and prevent over-mixing. 
5. Fold in any remaining butter or flour using a spatula, then divide the batter equally between the two pans.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the edges pull away from the pan. Allow the cake to cool in the pans for about two minutes, then invert layers onto a cooling rack. Remove the paper and set them aside to cool completely.

For the frosting

1. Cream together butter, salt and powdered sugar. Then drizzle in cream or milk and vanilla, the buttercream frosting should form a soft peak with a slight curl. 
2. Frost your layered cake however you’d like and enjoy!

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Instructions/ingredients from https://preppykitchen.com/1448-2/