Pontica (Orange Cake in Syrup)

Cake
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
6 eggs, separated
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon orange rind
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder

Syrup
1 cup orange juice
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 x 12-inch pan with 1/4 cup melted butter.

Make syrup by combining orange juice, water and sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Allow to cool.

Beat egg whites until stiff.

In another bowl, beat egg yolks until light yellow. To yolks add sugar, orange rind and vanilla extract; cream well.

Mix flour and baking powder together, set aside.

To egg yolk mixture, add egg whites, alternating with 2 tablespoons of flour, ending with egg whites. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Remove cake from oven; cut into diamond shapes. Pour cold syrup over hot cake. Let cool completely before serving.