Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pans (4-inch or 6-inch).

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).

Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined; don’t overmix!

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

While the cakes cool, make the frosting. In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Add milk and vanilla to reach your desired consistency. If using, add food coloring for a pop of color!

Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread a layer of frosting between the cake layers and cover the top and sides of the cake.

Get creative! Add fruits, sprinkles, or chocolate shavings to embellish your bento cake just the way you like.