Gather all ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8-inch, round pans.
Cream sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Beat in flour mixture alternately with milk, mixing just until incorporated.
Pour batter into the prepared pans.
Bake in the preheated oven until cake tops spring back when lightly tapped, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool 15 minutes before turning out onto cooling racks.
