3 sticks butter
2 3/4 c. sugar
5 eggs
3 3/4 c. sifted flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, one at a time. Add sifted dry ingredients alternating with milk and flavoring. Beat 1 minute and pour into well greased tube pan. Put cake into cold oven, then turn oven on to 325 degrees and bake for 1 1/2 hours or until knife inserted is clean. Turn out after 10 minutes. When cool, put in air tight container.

ICING: (If desired)
1 c. sugar
1 stick butter
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. dark rum or lemon juice

Combine all ingredients. Boil 2 to 3 minutes and pour over hot cake.