Instructions: Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat so that it doesnt brown or scorch. Cool until lukewarm.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 11-by-4 inch loaf pan (see note) and coat the pan with flour.

Break the eggs into a bowl, add the sugar and vanilla, and beat everything with a mixer until its light, foamy and has increased in volume (about 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed).

Mix the flour with the baking powder and salt. Add a bit of the flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix until smooth. Then mix in the remaining flour mixture alternately with the melted butter, mixing between additions until smooth.

Pour the batter into the pan and smooth out the top. Bake the cake on the middle oven rack for about 1 hour. It is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Leave the cake in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then turn it out, turn it back over and let it cool completely on a rack. Before serving, sift a thin layer of powdered sugar over the cake.

Takes 1 1/2 hours, of which only 30 minutes involves doing something.

Note: If you dont have an 11 inch pan, use a 9-by-5 inch pan and add 10 to 15 minutes cooking time.

Jennifer Newens and Cornelia Schinharl

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