Sweet Layers of History: How to Make the Perfect Apple Stack Cake

Photo byAngie Bright

The Apple Stack Cake is more than just a dessert; it's a culinary tradition with roots steeped in history. Originating in the Appalachian region, this cake was often a community effort, where each guest brought a layer to stack, creating a multi-tiered masterpiece. It's a perfect representation of simplicity, hospitality, and the love of sharing good food with others.

The cake itself is not overly sweet, which allows the apple filling to truly shine. The layers of cake, often firm when first baked, slowly soften as they absorb the apple filling, resulting in a dense but tender dessert. The Apple Stack Cake is truly a celebration of flavors—spiced apples, warm vanilla, and the rich, buttery goodness of the cake layers. The key to making this cake is patience, as it takes time for the flavors to meld together in the refrigerator, but the end result is well worth the wait.

Recipe: Apple Stack Cake

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces dried apples, chopped
• 5 cups water
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• Confectioners' sugar (for sprinkling)

Directions:

1. Prepare the Apple Filling: Place the dried apples and water in a large stockpot (about 6 quarts), and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened. Once softened, mash the apples into a chunky sauce using a spoon or masher. Stir in the brown sugar and apple pie spice. Continue simmering, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed and the sauce thickens. Allow the filling to cool completely.
2. Make the Cake Layers: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add this flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Beat the mixture well after each addition to ensure a smooth dough.
3. Shape and Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a disk. Cut eight 9-inch circles of parchment paper. Roll each disk of dough to fit one of the parchment circles using a floured rolling pin. Transfer the dough rounds, still on the parchment, to baking sheets.Bake each layer for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Once baked, carefully remove the cake layers from the pans and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread it with about 2/3 cup of the apple filling. Repeat this process for all the layers, stacking them as you go. Top the final layer with the last cake round. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 1-2 days to allow the layers to soften and absorb the flavors of the filling.
5. Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the top of the cake with confectioners' sugar if desired. Slice and enjoy the rich, spiced apple flavor in every bite.

A Taste of History in Every Slice

Apple Stack Cake is not only a wonderful dessert but also a symbol of community, tradition, and the spirit of sharing. Whether you're serving it at a holiday gathering or just enjoying a slice with a warm cup of coffee, this cake brings a taste of nostalgia to any table. Its layers tell a story of simple ingredients coming together to create something special, much like the communities that first shared it.

To explore the Apple Stack Cake, a rich dessert rooted in Appalachian history, several recipes and variations highlight the key steps and flavors involved in this traditional dish.

The cake typically uses layers of a dense, slightly sweetened dough, which is alternated with a thick apple filling made from dried apples rehydrated and spiced. The process of layering and letting the cake rest for a day or two allows the flavors to meld, giving the cake a moist and rich texture. The number of layers can vary, with some recipes calling for as many as eight, but the result is always the same: a cake packed with apple goodness and history​(Southern Living)​(King Arthur Baking).

Some recipes, like those featured by Taste of Home and King Arthur Baking, recommend rolling the dough into individual discs and baking them until golden. These layers are then stacked with an apple mixture in between, often including a touch of brown sugar and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg​(Taste of Home)​(King Arthur Baking). Another common variation includes the addition of sorghum or molasses for extra depth in flavor​(My Turn for Us)​(Taste of the South).