Cream 1/2 cup butter. Add gradually 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup sweet milk and 2 cups flour. Beat 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cornmeal, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 cup flour. Beat again 5 minutes. Add 2 rounded teaspoons baking powder and 2 egg whites well beaten. Bake in layers at 350 degrees until done.

Caramel: Stir 1/2 cup sugar on stove until it melts and throws off a dark smoke then add 1/2 cup boiling water and boil until thick as molasses.

Icing: Boil 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup water until it spins a thread. Pour into whites of 2 eggs beaten stiff. Add vanilla and half of caramel. Beat until cool enough to ice the cake.