Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature for 30 minutes
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature

Equipment:

9- by 5- by 3-inch loaf pan

Directions:

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat to 350°F
Butter and flour loaf pan, knocking out excess flour

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt
Beat together butter and sugar in an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, (about 3 minutes)
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla
Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and milk alternately, beginning and ending with flour
Spoon batter into loaf pan

Bake until golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out with crumbs adhering, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

Cool cake in pan on a rack 30 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.