Kentucky Stack Cake
Kentucky Stack Cake features moist, spiced layers flavored with sorghum and cinnamon, stacked with sweet applesauce, offering a nostalgic Southern dessert perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream sorghum, butter, and sugar until well blended.
- Mix well-beaten eggs with milk.
- Sift dry ingredients together.
- Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with egg-milk mixture, stirring until smooth.
- Divide batter into 6 equal portions of 1 cup each.
- Spread batter in well-greased 9-inch cake pans to make 6 layers.
- Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove layers from pans and stack with applesauce between each layer.
- Sweeten and/or spice applesauce to taste before spreading.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter cake, consider substituting half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce. You can also replace sorghum with dark molasses if needed, though it may alter the flavor slightly. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the best rise. If you prefer a spicier cake, add an extra teaspoon of cinnamon or ginger. This Kentucky Stack Cake can be made ahead and assembled just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is delicious on its own but can also be served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. For a complete meal, serve alongside dishes like Killer Cornbread or Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole for a delightful Southern feast.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Kentucky Stack Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, place individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or until warmed through. For best texture, avoid reheating the entire cake, as it may dry out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Kentucky Stack Cake contains roughly 1541 calories, with 18g protein, 193g carbohydrates, and 79g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (49% of the Daily Value), iron (39% of the Daily Value), and protein (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2337mg per serving (102% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the layers in advance and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Just make sure to wrap them well to prevent drying out. Assemble the cake with applesauce just before serving for the best taste and texture.
What can I use instead of applesauce?
If you don't have applesauce, you can use mashed bananas or even a fruit spread like apricot or peach preserves. Just ensure the consistency is similar to applesauce to maintain the structural integrity of the layers.
Is this cake suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Kentucky Stack Cake is vegetarian-friendly! It contains no meat products and uses eggs as the only animal-derived ingredient. If you are looking for a vegan version, you can substitute the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).