Ingredients
6 c. self-rising flour, plus more for dusting and pans
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pans
4 large eggs, beaten to blend
1 c. granulated sugar
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. molasses
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 lb. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground allspice
Preparation
Step 1Preheat oven to 300°. In a medium bowl, sift four and baking soda; add butter and mix well to combine.Step 2In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat eggs, granulated sugar, milk, molasses, cinnamon, and vanilla until fluffy and smooth. Add flour mixture and continue to beat until mixture resembles bread dough.Step 3Turn out dough onto a lightly floured board or cloth and knead with your hands to combine. Divide dough into 6 pieces and roll out layers like a pie crust.Step 4Grease and flour 6 round cake or pie pans. Place 1 round into each prepared pan; smooth surface.Step 5Bake crust until golden brown and set, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
Step 1In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook apples in water, stirring occasionally, until softened. Strain, then return to saucepan. Add granulated sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is thickened.Step 2Spread filling on one side of each crust, then stack crusts on top of the other. You can make 2 (3-layer) cakes or 1 (6-layer) cake.Step 3This cake is best after it sits 2 to 3 days.
The dessert uses a simple, slightly sweet dough made with molasses and spices. You divide the dough into six equal portions and bake them into thin discs, then stack each on top of another with an apple compote in the middle. The cakes are a little bit closer to quick bread or scones than to moist cake, and they aren’t too sweet. It’s a great breakfast for a special occasion—say, the morning of Thanksgiving or Christmas. P.S. The book is out of print, but if you look hard enough, you can find used copies. And thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can read it in its entirety here.
