SOUR CREAM POPPY SEED CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare desired pan (s)-two 8" layer pans or a 13 x 9 x 2" sheet pan or an 8" ring pan by buttering well and dusting lightly with flour.
• Cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in egg yolks thoroughly.
• Add vanilla.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
• Alternately add dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
• Keep mixing until very smooth.
• Stir in poppy seeds until evenly distributed.
• By hand, using a spatula, fold in stiffly beaten egg whites, carefully incorporating them into the batter.
• Pour into prepared pan (s).
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes for layers, 35-40 minutes for sheet, 50-55 minutes for ring.
• Watch carefully.
• Cake should pull from sides of pan, and a toothpick should come out clean from the center.
• Cool for 5 minutes in pan, then turn and release onto rack, cooling completely before finishing.
• For Icing: Soften butter and cream cheese at room temperature for a few hours.
• Beat cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer until they are completely incorporated and the mixture is very light and creamy.
• Mix in sifted powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Chill icing in a bowl covered with plastic wrap for about 1 hour before spreading.