History
Stack cake originated in Appalachian Kentucky and East Tennessee in the 1800s as a community-built wedding cake where each guest brought a layer to be assembled at the reception with home-canned apple butter or dried-apple filling between each. Magpies Bakery on North Central runs the modern Knoxville version on its special-order menu, and East Tennessee bakeries serve it during apple season from late August through November.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried apples
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup sorghum molasses
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Method
- Simmer dried apples, cider, brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice in a heavy saucepan until the apples break down, 25 minutes. Mash with a fork. Cool.
- Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Whisk flour, baking soda and ginger in a large bowl.
- In a second bowl, combine buttermilk, sorghum, melted butter and egg.
- Stir the wet into the dry and knead briefly to a soft dough.
- Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Pat each into a 9-inch round about 1/4 inch thick.
- Bake the rounds 2 at a time, 8 to 10 minutes per pair, until lightly browned. Cool completely.
- Stack the layers with apple butter between each. Wrap and refrigerate 24 hours before serving so the layers soften and the flavors meld.
- Dust with powdered sugar and slice thin to serve.
Tip from the editors. The 24-hour rest is non-negotiable; without it the cake tastes raw. This is a cake to make the day before.
Where to eat tennessee stack cake
Tennessee Stack Cake in Knoxville
Magpies Bakery ★ 4.1
Magpies Bakery is the north central cupcake counter has anchored happy holler's residential dessert scene without ever putting a downtown branch in place.
Why locals goThe North Central cupcake counter has anchored Happy Holler's residential dessert scene without ever putting a downtown branch in place.
TipClosed Sundays; the Italian cream cake is the not-to-miss order. Wedding cake bookings months out.
The Plaid Apron ★ 4.6
The Plaid Apron on Kenesaw Avenue in Sequoyah Hills, the Southern brunch and dinner room, runs Wednesday-to-Sunday brunch with cinnamon rolls.
OrderCinnamon roll with grits and a smash burger
TipSunday brunch only; Wednesday to Saturday are full brunch and dinner. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
More places near Magpies Bakery and The Plaid Apron
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Sunspot Southwestern, about 500 m away
- Sunspot Strip Lunch Caribbean, about 500 m away
- Chesapeake's Seafood House Seafood, about 2.2 km away
- Pete's Restaurant and Coffee Shop Café, about 2.3 km away
- J.C. Holdway Modern Appalachian, Farm-to-table, about 2.3 km away
- Petro's Chili and Chips Downtown American, about 2.4 km away
More cities are in research. Want tennessee stack cake covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.