Stack Cake

Stack Cake is from the Smoky Mountain region, where the principal sweetening ingredient in use is still molasses.

Ingredients

• 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• Applesauce
• Confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
2. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside.
3. Work shortening until soft. Add sugar a little at a time while creaming the mixture.
4. Mix in molasses thoroughly, then beat in the eggs, one at a time.
5. Stir in flour combination and milk alternately.
6. Spoon a thin layer of batter, about 1/3 inch, into prepared cake pans.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until cake pulls away from sides of pan. Repeat with the batter, re-using the cake pans, until there are six or seven thin layers of cake.
8. When all layers are baked and cooled, stack with a generous amount of lightly spiced applesauce between each layer.
9. Sprinkle confectioners' sugar on top.