Cheap Sponge Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350, and line 2 nine inch pans with wax paper.
2. 2
   Sift flour with baking powder; in a separate bowl, combine the water and the vanilla.
3. 3
   Beat egg yolks until thick, then slowly add the sugar bit by bit, until the mixture gets thick and cream colored.
4. 4
   Add the flour alternately with the water, beginning and ending with the flour.
5. 5
   With clean mixer, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar untilsoft peaks form.
6. 6
   Fold egg whites into batter lightly, about 1/4 at a time.
7. 7
   Spoon into the pans and bake about 25 minutes, or until gold and springy.
8. 8
   I have added 3/4 cup nuts, 1/4 cup cocoa (sifted with the flour), 1 tbsp instant coffee, etc--it's a nice recipe to experiment with.
9. 9
   You can also make these into cupcakes--fill cupcake papers 3/4 full, bake about 12 minutes, makes about 24.