Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C and line and grease three, 8-inch or four 7-inch pans with parchment rounds.

Step 2

Mix 3 cups all purpose flour, 3 cups sugar, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp salt together in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or hand mixer until fully combined.

Step 3

Mix in 1 cup of room temperature, unsalted butter slowly into the dry ingredients on a low speed. Continue to mix until no large chunks of butter remain and the mixture looks like moist sand.

Step 4

Pour in 1 cup of egg whites and mix on a medium speed until combined.

Step 5

Add in 1 1/2 cups sour cream, 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil, 2 tsp of almond extract, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract on a low speed. Mix until fully incorporated.

Step 6

If you want to color your cake layers, add in gel food coloring with the vanilla and oil.

Step 7

Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then beat on a medium speed for about 30 seconds to make sure everything is properly mixed together.

Step 8

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake for 33-36 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 9

Let the pans cool for 10 minutes, then run a small offset spatula around the perimeter of the pan to separate the cake from the pan.

Step 10

Place cake layers into the freezer for 30 minutes to accelerate the cooling process. Once the layers are fully cooled, carefully flip the pans and remove the layers.

Step 11

Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the layers right before you plan to assemble your cake, or you can wrap and freeze them if you're making them in advance.

Step 12

If you make these cake layers in advance and freeze them, let them thaw for about 20 minutes before making your cake. The cake layers should still be slightly cold to the touch, which will make it easier to assemble your cake.

Step 13

While the cake layers bake and cool, make the almond buttercream frosting.

Step 14

Beat 2 cups of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a paddle attachment until smooth.

Step 15

Mix in 2 tsp of almond extract, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 tsp salt on a low speed.

Step 16

Slowly add in 7 cups of powdered sugar on a low speed. Add 1/4 cup of heavy cream halfway through to make the frosting easier to mix.

Step 17

Continue to mix on low speed for a few minutes, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 18

If the frosting is too thick, add in additional cream (1 Tbsp at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar (quarter of a cup at a time).

Step 19

If you plan to color the buttercream, add in the gel food coloring once the frosting is fully made, and beat on low until it reaches the desired color.

Step 20

Stack and frost cake layers on a greaseproof cake board using a dab of frosting to help stick the first cake layer to the board.

Step 21

Add an even layer of almond buttercream between each cake layer.

Step 22

Spread a thin coat of frosting around the cake to fully cover the cake layers. Smooth using a bench scraper, then chill the cake in the fridge (10 minutes) or freezer (5 minutes) until the frosting is firm to the touch.

Step 23

Add a second, thicker layer of frosting to the cake, and smooth using a bench scraper. Then decorate as desired!