Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or line with parchment for easy release).
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes. This step sets the foundation for a soft cake, so don’t rush it.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla, almond extract, and sour cream.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the batter in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk mixture (start and end with dry). Mix just until combined and don’t overwork the batter.
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and smooth the tops.
Bake for 25–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cakes cool in the pans for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.