Making the Burnt Sugar Syrup

Begin by heating 1 cup of sugar in a 3-quart pan over medium heat. Let it melt and turn amber, stirring now and then, for 8-10 minutes. Then, add 3/4 cup of boiling water and stir until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Let the syrup cool down completely.

Preparing the Cake Batter

In a big bowl, mix 1 cup of sugar, 2 and 1/2 cups of cake flour, 4 egg whites, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of oil, and a bit of salt. Stir until it's thick and a bit sticky. Then, add the cooled syrup slowly, mixing well each time. This makes the cake moist and full of flavor.

Baking the old fashioned cake made with sugar syrup

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter or spray. Put parchment paper in it for easy removal. Pour the batter in and smooth the top. Bake for 24 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool before frosting and serving.