Gone with the Wind Cake

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2
Beat cold water and egg yolks together until mixture makes 1 quart–at least 10 minutes. Slowly add sugar and vanilla to egg yolk mixture, beating for at least 7 minutes more.

Step 3
Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt together. Fold into the egg yolk mixture.

Step 4
Beat egg whites until medium-stiff peaks form. Fold one third of the egg white mixture into the batter to lighten; fold in remaining egg whites. Pour batter into an ungreased tube pan.

Step 5
Bake in preheated oven until cake springs back when lightly touched with a fingertip, about 50 minutes. Turn upside down to cool in pan for 1 hour. Loosen sides and coax from pan.