Vanilla Sponge Cake

Despite its simplicity, this remains my family's ultimate favorite cake. Adapted from: http://www.creative-cake-decorating.com/sponge-cake-recipe.html

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Yields: 1 9-inch cake

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup raisins (optional)
• 4  eggs, separated
• 1⁄8-1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. Line pan (including the sides) with parchment paper.
3. Sift flour and baking powder 3 times. Add in 1/4 tsp salt.
4. Throw raisins into flour mixture and coat them well. (optional step).
5. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites with cream of tartar and 1/8 tsp salt until stiff peaks are formed. Add in sugar and beat until stiff peaks form again.
6. Combine egg yolks, oil, water, and vanilla extract. Beat mixture until foamy.
7. Fold egg yolk mixture gently into egg whites. Add flour mixture and gently fold in until well-combined.
8. Pour cake batter into springform pan and bake for 30-40 minutes. The cake is done when top springs back when lightly pressed.