Maryland's official state dessert: nine to fifteen paper-thin yellow-cake layers separated by fudge frosting, stacked tall and chilled. A signature of Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay.
Smith Island cake originated on Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay in the 19th century, baked thin in cast-iron pans by watermen's wives for the long fishing trips. The thin layers allowed the cake to keep without drying out. Maryland declared it the official state dessert in 2008. Baltimore bakeries including Patisserie Poupon, Harmony Bakery and Pitango Bakery + Cafe sell whole cakes for special occasions and slices over the counter.
4 editor picks for Smith Island cake in Baltimore, ranked by editorial score. All Baltimore signature dishes · Smith Island cake across every city.
Patisserie Poupon ★ 4.7
downtown · 820 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Patisserie Poupon near the Shot Tower is Joseph Poupon's French bakery, turning out laminated croissants, macarons and glossy fruit tarts since the 1980s.
Harmony Bakery ★ 4.2
hampden · 3446 Chestnut Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21211
Harmony Bakery in Hampden is Baltimore's vegan and gluten-free bakery, turning out dairy-free cakes, cookies and pastries from a small Chestnut Avenue shop.
Pitango Bakery + Cafe ★ 4.2
fells-point · 903 South Ann Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
Pitango Bakery + Cafe in Fells Point pairs careful espresso with its own breads, pastries and gelato, a bright corner cafe on South Ann Street.
Cross Street Market ★ 4.1
federal-hill · 1065 South Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Cross Street Market is Federal Hill's neighbourhood public market, renovated into a modern hall of oyster bars, taco counters and a central bar at its core.