1-Prepare the pans and preheat oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing three 8-inch cake pans with grease and parchment paper. This step helps the batter release easily after baking.

2-Sift dry ingredients and whisk wet ingredients: Next, sift together the dry ingredients like cake flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. In another bowl, whisk the wet ingredients including eggs, egg whites, buttermilk, melted butter, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring until smooth.

3-Combine mixtures and bake: Combine the two mixtures gently to avoid overmixing, which keeps the cake tender. Divide the batter evenly into the pans and bake for 21-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

4-Cool layers and prepare buttercream: Once baked, let the layers cool before stacking and frosting. For the buttercream, beat the softened butter first, then gradually add powdered sugar, meringue powder, salt, vanilla, and pink food coloring while whipping until fluffy.

5-Adjust frosting and decorate: Adjust with milk or cream if the frosting needs thinning, and apply a crumb coat before chilling for easier decorating. Finish with piped rosettes and drop flowers for a professional look.