W hen I first agreed to test Martha Stewart's favorite birthday cake, I had a momentary panic, realizing that I may have ...

Add vanilla paste, salt ... Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes with a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes.

There was a chocolate one and a vanilla one. There was a yellow butter cake and a pink strawberry one. There were even exotic-sounding flavors like red velvet and Lady Baltimore. My friends and I ...