Chiffon Nut Cake

Name: Chiffon Nut Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 12-16 servings.
Ingredients: 7 eggs, separated; 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 3/4 cup water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; 1 cup chopped hickory nuts or pecans; CREAMY VANILLA FROSTING:; 4 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 4 to 6 tablespoons milk; Chopped hickory nuts or pecan halves

Chop hickory nuts to add rich taste and a subtle crunch to every slice. If you can't find hickory nuts, use pecans instead.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Ingredients

7 eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup chopped hickory nuts or pecans
CREAMY VANILLA FROSTING:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 to 6 tablespoons milk
Chopped hickory nuts or pecan halves

Directions

Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the oil, egg yolks, water and vanilla; beat until smooth. In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold into egg yolk mixture. Fold in nuts.
Gently spoon batter into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through the batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest rack at 325° for 60-65 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched and cracks feel dry. Immediately invert pan; cool completely. Run a knife around the sides and center tube of pan. Invert cake onto a serving plate.
For frosting, in a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Frost top and sides of cake; garnish with nut halves.