Ingredients

Vegetable oil cooking spray 

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for sheet 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

2 1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 

3/4 cup sugar 

1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional) 

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

2 large eggs 

1/3 cup whole milk 

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray, and line with parchment. Dust with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until pale and fluffy. Beat in zest if desired, and vanilla. Add eggs, 1 at time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to medium, and beat in flour mixture in 2 additions, alternating with milk.

Spread batter into prepared sheet. Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 17 minutes. Let cool in sheet on a wire rack.