Maple-Iced Angel Food Cake

Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

FOR THE CAKE:
In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and salt and continue whipping until soft peaks form. With the mixer running, gradually add 1 cup of the granulated sugar and continue whipping until the egg whites are stiff, about 30 seconds more. Sift the remaining 1/4-cup granulated sugar together with the sifted cake flour 3 times, to aerate the mixture. Fold into the egg whites, then fold in the vanilla and maple syrup.

Spoon the batter into an ungreased 9- or 10-inch tube pan, or 6 miniature ones. Smooth the top with the back of the spoon. Bake until light golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool by hanging the cake (in the pan) upside down around the neck of a bottle until it cools to room temperature. Run a long, sharp knife blade around the cake to loosen it, then knock the cake out onto a plate. The outside crumb of the cake will remain in the pan; exposing the white cake underneath.

FOR THE ICING:
Stir the ingredients together until smooth, adding more maple syrup if necessary. Pour over the top of the cake and spread with a spatula, letting the glaze trickle down the sides. Let set for at least 30 minutes, or until the icing is hard, before serving. Slice with a serrated knife, using a sawing motion.