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.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs

Make it at home

Yield 12Hands-on 45 minTotal 24 hrDifficulty Intermediate

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

  1. 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.
  2. Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
  3. Whisk flour, baking soda and ginger in a large bowl.
  4. In a second bowl, combine buttermilk, sorghum, melted butter and egg.
  5. Stir the wet into the dry and knead briefly to a soft dough.
  6. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Pat each into a 9-inch round about 1/4 inch thick.
  7. Bake the rounds 2 at a time, 8 to 10 minutes per pair, until lightly browned. Cool completely.
  8. Stack the layers with apple butter between each. Wrap and refrigerate 24 hours before serving so the layers soften and the flavors meld.
  9. 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

Italian$$happy-hollerMon 10:00-14:00; Tue-Fri 11:00-17:30; Sat 10:00-16:00; closed Sun

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 love it: The North Central cupcake counter has anchored Happy Holler's residential dessert scene without ever putting a downtown branch in place.

Tip: Closed Sundays; the Italian cream cake is the not-to-miss order. Wedding cake bookings months out.

846 N Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917

The Plaid Apron ★ 4.6

BrunchSouthern brunch with East Tennessee farms$$$15-25beardenWed-Sat 09:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00; Sun 09:00-14:00; closed Mon-TueResy reservations

The Plaid Apron on Kenesaw Avenue in Sequoyah Hills, the Southern brunch and dinner room, runs Wednesday-to-Sunday brunch with cinnamon rolls.

Order: Cinnamon roll with grits and a smash burger

Tip: Sunday brunch only; Wednesday to Saturday are full brunch and dinner. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

1210 Kenesaw Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919

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