Molasses Stack Cake

April 6, 2022 | The Appalachian Homestead |

“Want some Molassy Cake?” She would say as she sliced through the cake, which seemed to always have a hundred layers, and poured a tall glass of fresh milk. It was her favorite to bake, but it was reserved for fall and occasionally for special visitors outside the fall season. Baking my granny’s “Molassy Stack Cake” takes me home to her in my heart every single time. Cooking and baking is the connection to her that keeps my heart soothed since she has been gone now 18 years. There isn’t a cake more “Appalachian” than this one, enjoy!

The Dough

  • 1/2 c vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 1/2 c buttermilk
  • 1/3 c molasses
  • 1 large egg, slightly beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 c all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tspground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • dash of nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside
  3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together crisco and sugar.
  4. Add molasses to crisco/sugar and mix
  5. Add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and mix together until well combined.
  6. Add buttermilk
  7. Add flour/baking soda/ salt one cup at a time mixing well before adding the next cup.
  8. Form dough into log and portion into 9 equal portions
  9. Roll into balls
  10. Place between two layers of parchment paper and roll into circles 1/4 inch thick
  11. Bake 10 mins until golden brown
  12. Let cool completely

The filling and Glaze

  • Peel and core 4 large firm apples
  • 2/3 c Apple Cider
  • 1/3 c Apple Crown Royal or other Apple whiskey/ bourbon
  • 1/2 c brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Molasses
  • 1 1/2 c apple butter

Instructions

  • Roughly chop peeled and cored apples
  • Place apples into pot with, Apple cider, and Apple whiskey/bourbon
  • Bring to boil and turn down to simmer, allow to cook until apples are tender but not mushy.
  • Remove 1/4 cup of liquid and set aside
  • Drain the rest of the fluid off the apples to discard and set the apples aside to cool.

For Glaze:

Combine reserved liquid with brown sugar, apple butter, and molasses bring to low simmer just until sugar melts into liquid well.

Assemble on a large cake plate

Cake

Apples

Glaze

Cake

Apples

Glaze

And so on, ending with a glazed top, evenly distributing apples and glaze spreading generously between each layer. Wrap and Allow to sit 3-4 hours at least before serving.