Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare four 6-inch (or three 8-inch) round cake pans by spraying the bottom and sides with non-stick spray, lining the bottom of each pan with parchment paper and spraying again. Set aside.
In a medium size bowl, whisk together the cake flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, oil, and sugar on high until fluffy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
Add the egg whites, one at a time to the bowl and beat on medium until well incorporated. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl between additions.
Turn the mixer on low and add 1/3rd of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix for 20 seconds. Then add half of the sour cream and blend well. Repeat alternately adding the flour, sour cream and remaining flour. Mix until incorporated.
Add the vanilla bean paste and beat on low until incorporated, only about 10 to 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on low for another 10 to 20 seconds.
Pour the cake batter evenly between the four 6-inch pans or three 8-inch pans and bake about 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Make sure not to over bake.
Remove cake from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto cooling racks.
Once cooled, you can level the cake layers if needed and then wrap well in plastic wrap and freeze for at least an hour before you assemble the cake. Can be stored in the freezer wrapped once in plastic wrap for about a week. If you want to store the cake layers longer, wrap twice with plastic wrap and then again with foil.