A Happy Cake

You know how there are some foods that put a smile on your face?  Things that take us back to our childhood in a heartbeat?  This cake is one of them.  It makes everyone smile when they see it and happy when they eat it.  And it is easy and quick to make.

Melt 1/2 C. butter and mix it with 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of brown sugar.  Whisk this together.  You can mix this cake easily by hand.

Measure 1-2/3 C. flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. of salt.  Whisk to combine.

Pour 3/4 C. of milk in a bowl and add 1 T. vanilla extract and 1 tsp. almond extract.  Add 1 large beaten egg. Whisk this into the sugar mixture and then stir it into the flour until combined.

Stir in a cup of colored jimmies. 

Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch pan lined with parchment.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.  Set aside to cool completely.  If the cake starts to brown on the top, cover it with foil half way through baking.

For the buttercream icing, beat 2 sticks of softened butter with 4 C. of confectioners sugar, 1/4 C. of milk and 2 tsp. of vanilla extract.

Beat until smooth.

Frost the cooled cake and sprinkle with colored nonpareils.  Why are they called this?  Why aren't they just pareils?

Anyway, this cake is luscious.  I like to keep it in the refrigerator.