Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up. While the oven heats, grease your cake pans and line them with a sheet of parchment paper. This makes it easier to remove the cakes once they’re done baking and helps prevent them from sticking.

In a large bowl, combine your eggs, sugar, and buttermilk. Whisk them together until smooth. Now, add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract, and mix again. The oil gives the cake moisture, while the vanilla adds a nice, comforting flavor.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until everything is well incorporated. You don’t want to overmix, just enough to combine the ingredients into a smooth batter.

Divide your batter evenly between the prepared pans. Pop them into the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you’re using multiple layers, just make sure to check the cake’s doneness with a toothpick. Once done, let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

As the cakes cool down, take the time to prepare your frosting. This way, you’ll be ready to frost them as soon as they’re fully set. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s nice and creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the frosting is smooth, and then add a little milk if it needs to reach a spreadable consistency.

When the cakes are completely cool, set one layer on a cake plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting over the top, then add the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it out as you go. Now for the fun part—decorate! Whether you’re going for a Hogwarts-inspired design, adding little edible decorations, or just keeping it simple with a nice border, let your imagination run wild. You could even use edible gold dust or a wand-shaped cake topper for that extra Harry Potter magic!