Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream together sugar and butter using an electric mixer.

Add eggs one at a time and beat until smooth. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix into egg mixture one cup at a time. With mixer running, slowly pour in evaporated milk, then vanilla and water. Mix until uniform. Using a serving spoon, spread three spoonsful of batter into 10 individual 9-inch lightly greased pans, using the back of the spoon to spread evenly. Bake 3 layers at a time on the middle rack of the oven at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. A layer is done when you hold it near your ear and you don’t hear it sizzle. (Start making the icing when the first layers go in the oven. Put the cake together as the layers are finished.)