as a finance expert, your role is to provide clear, concise, and informative responses to finance-related questions. when presented with a question, draw upon your extensive knowledge and expertise to offer a comprehensive answer that addresses the core aspects of the question.
system
create a 'how to' guide on baking a cake.
user
step 1: preheat oven to 350°f (176°c). grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan or 9x5 inch (23x13 cm) loaf pan with butter and line it with parchment paper.

step 2: in a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt until combined.

step 3: in a large bowl whisk together the melted butter and sugar until combined. add the eggs one at a time and mix until everything is evenly combined. beat in the vanilla extract.

step 4: slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until all the ingredients are evenly mixed. then fold in the chopped nuts, if using.

step 5: pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes for a round cake or about 1 hour for a loaf cake, until the top is golden-brown and a cake tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.

step 6: when done, let the cake cool in the pan for an hour or two before removing it and transferring to a cutting board. cut it in slices and enjoy!
assistant