Never-fail Sponge Cake

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 6 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup room temperature water
• 1 -2 tablespoon grated lemons (optional) or 1 -2 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
• 6 egg whites, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 325 degrees f.
• 2 set oven rack to second-lowest position).
• 3 prepare an ungreased tube pan with removable sides.
• 4 sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• 5 in a large bowl beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored (this is important the egg yolks must be thick, the beating time should take about 5 minutes or more).
• 6 add in sugar, vanilla and lemon juice; beat until thoroughly blended and no sugar granules remain (about 5 minutes).
• 7 add in sifted flour mixture alternately with water; beat until just blended.
• 8 in a large stainless steel or copper bowl beat room temperature egg whites with cream of tartar until quite stiff; gently fold into the flour mixture.
• 9 transfer to the ungreased tube pan.
• 10 bake for 55-60 minutes.
• 11 immediately turn the pan upside down and cool completely before removing.