Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9" round cake pan.
Cream 3 tablespoons butter with 1 cup sugar. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
Sift 2 cups of flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture along with the milk. Pour into a cake pan.
Boil the 2 cups of water and add the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter. Pour this liquid gently over the mixture in the cake pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
NOTES : Therese says: The sauce will go to the bottom of the pan, making a very sweet dessert. You can top with ice cream.
Generations of French Canadians will remember this recipe from way back. It's a simple recipe, where the egg is optional and the preparation time is about 15 minutes.