Yellow Sponge Cake

12 egg yolks
1/2 cup water
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 to 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat egg yolks and water with electric beater until lemon-colored. Add 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until light yellow. Sift together the remaining sugar, flour, salt and baking powder. Fold dry ingredients and vanilla extract into egg yolk mixture. Bake in a greased and floured tube pan at 375 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pan when cool.

Serves 12.