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Appalachian apple stack cake
Thin spiced layers stacked with dried-apple filling
Apple stack cake is the old mountain wedding cake of eastern Kentucky and Tennessee: legend has it neighbours each brought a layer, and the bride's popularity was judged by the height. Six thin, biscuit-like layers flavoured with sorghum or molasses and ginger are stacked with a thick filling of cooked dried apples, then left for two days so the layers soften into a moist, spiced cake. Chef's tip: don't cut it the day you make it; the resting time is part of the recipe.
- Total time
- 105 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the filling
- 14 oz dried apple rings
- 4 ¼ cups water
- 5 ½ oz soft brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground allspice
For the layers
- 4 oz buttersoft
- 3 ½ oz sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 ⅛ lb plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
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What you'll need
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Simmer the 14 oz dried apple rings in the 4 ¼ cups water, covered, for 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until soft and the water is absorbed. Mash with the 5 ½ oz soft brown sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon and ½ tsp ground allspice to a thick, spreadable purée and cool.
45 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 375°F (350°F fan). Beat the 4 oz butter, 3 ½ oz sugar and ½ cup sorghum syrup or molasses, then beat in the 2 eggs and ½ cup buttermilk.
5 minStep 3: Mix in the 1 ⅛ lb plain flour, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 2 tsp ground ginger and ½ tsp salt to a soft dough like a firm biscuit dough. Divide into 6 equal pieces.
5 minStep 4: Pat or roll each piece into a 23 cm round on baking paper, using a cake tin base as a guide, and prick all over.
15 minStep 5: Bake two at a time for 9–10 minutes, until lightly browned and firm at the edges. A common mistake is overbaking, which makes the layers too hard to soften. Cool on racks.
30 minStep 6: Stack the layers on a plate, spreading the apple filling thickly between each one but leaving the top plain. Wrap and leave in a cool place for 2 days before slicing.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 340 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 66 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does appalachian apple stack cake take?
- About 105 minutes in total: 60 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of soft brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
- What can I use instead of ground cinnamon?
- A cinnamon stick, ground: about ½ tsp per stick.
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