How To Make Tennessee Apple Stack Cake Food

TENNESSEE STACK CAKE

Steps:

• For the filling:
• Bring the apples and water to cover to a boil in a medium saucepan.
• Reduce the heat and simmer until the apples are completely softened, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the apples and let cool until just warm, about 15 minutes.
• Puree the apples in a food processor until smooth.
• Transfer to a bowl and stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. (The filling can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.).
• For the layers:
• Adjust two oven racks to the upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla in a large measuring cup.
• With an electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as necessary.
• Add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture alternately in two batches, beating after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed until combined. (The dough will be thick.).
• Divide the dough into 8 equal portions.
• Working with 2 portions at a time, on a lightly floured surface, roll each out into a 10-inch circle about 1/4 inch thick.
• Using a 9-inch cake pan as a template, trim away the excess dough to form 2 perfectly round 9-inch disks.
• Transfer the disks to the prepared baking sheets and bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating and switching the baking sheets halfway through the baking time.
• Transfer the disks to a rack and cool completely, at least 1 hour.
• Repeat with the remaining dough. (The layers can be wrapped tightly in plastic and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.).
• To assemble the cake:
• Place one layer on a serving plate and spread with 1 cup filling.
• Repeat 6 times.
• Top with the final layer, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate until the layers soften, at least 24 hours or up to 2 days.
• Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve. (The fully assembled cake can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.).
• Be sure to let the cake sit at least 24 hours, as the moisture from the filling transforms the texture of the cookie-like layers into a tender apple-flavored cake.

HOW TO MAKE TENNESSEE APPLE STACK CAKE

Steps:

• Cook the apple filling: Place all the ingredients in a large, heavy-bottomed pot, such as a Dutch oven. Add the water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened, about 5 minutes.
• Cool the apple filling: Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool while you prepare the cake batter.
• Combine the dry ingredients: Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl; set aside.
• Cream the butter and sugar: Place the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. (Alternatively, use a large bowl and electric hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add the eggs and sorghum: Stop and scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula. Return the mixer to medium-low speed and add the eggs one at a time, followed by the sorghum or molasses. Beat until homogenous and lightened in color, about 2 minutes more.
• Add the flour, alternating with the buttermilk: Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add about 1/3 of the flour mixture, return the mixer to low speed, and mix until all the flour has been incorporated. Slowly pour in 1/2 of the buttermilk and mix until homogenous. Repeat stopping the mixer and scraping, mixing in another 1/3 of the flour mixture, then the remaining buttermilk, and finally the remaining flour.
• Chill the cake batter: Transfer the cake batter to a smaller bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Process the apple filling: While the cake batter is filling, transfer the cooked and cooled apple filling into in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment or a blender. Process or blend into a thick paste, about 2 minutes. Some small lumps are okay, but the paste should be fairly smooth.
• Heat the oven and make a template for the cakes: Arrange 2 racks to divide the oven into thirds and heat to 350°F. Use a 9-inch round cake pan to trace a circle onto 6 pieces of parchment paper with a marker. Flip the parchment papers over so that the marker circle is on the underside.
• Spread out the batter and bake: Divide the chilled batter into 6 portions. Place 1 portion onto the center of each parchment circle. Use an offset spatula to spread the batter into a thin, even disk about the size of the circle. When you have 2 cake layers spread out, move them each to their own baking sheet. Bake until dry and set, about 10 minutes. While these 2 layers bake, spread out another 2 layers, and repeat baking and spreading until all the layers are baked.
• Cool the layers: Carefully slide the baked cake layers off their baking sheets using the parchment paper. Cool completely on a wire cooling rack, about 10 minutes each.
• Fill and layer the cake: Remove 1 cake layer from the parchment and place on a serving plate. Spread about 1 cup of the apple filling evenly on the cake. Stack another cake layer on top of the filling, taking care to center it. Repeat with filling and stacking the cake until all the cake layers are used. Do not put apple filling on top of the cake.
• Cover and refrigerate the cake for 24 hours: Tightly wrap the stacked cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours before serving.
• Slice and serve: Unwrap the cake and garnish with powdered sugar, if desired, before slicing and serving.

TENNESSEE STACK CAKE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups of dried apples and water. Bring to a boil, and let simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, or until apples are very soft. Mash the apples slightly, and stir in the sugar. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and 1 1/4 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the buttermilk, baking soda, baking powder, salt and ginger. Mix in the flour about 1 cup at a time to form a stiff dough. Divide dough into 5 equal portions. Pat each portion of the dough into a 9 inch circle on greased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are golden. Carefully remove layers to a cooling rack.
• Stack the layers onto a serving plate, spreading about 3/4 cup of the apple filling between each layer. Spread the rest of the filling over the top layer, and arrange dried apple slices on top for garnish. Let stand overnight before serving.

TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN STACK CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the rack in the middle position.
• 2. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• 3. Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on medium speed until wet and grainy.
• 4. Add the molasses. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a flexible spatula to get all of the molasses into the mixture.
• 5. Add the eggs one at a time. Scrape all the way to the bottom of the bowl and mix on low speed.
• 6. Alternately add the buttermilk and the dry mixture about a quarter at a time. Stop the mixer to scrape the bowl and turn it on again on low speed for about 10 seconds. The mixture should be stiff like a soft cookie dough.
• 7. Shape the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• 8. Divide the dough into 6 or 8 equal portions and place each one on a round piece of parchment paper a little larger than a 9-inch cake pan. Roll out the dough to the size of the parchment. Place the cake pan over the disk and trim away the excess around the edge.
• 9. Leaving the parchment paper underneath, lift the disks onto baking sheets and bake them for approximately 10 minutes, or until the top surface appears dry and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
• 10. Slide the disks off the baking sheet onto a flat surface to cool.
• 11. To make the filling, combine all the ingredients in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan and bring to a light simmer. Immediately transfer to the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse into a thick paste.
• 12. To assemble the cake, spread about 1 cup of the filling onto each layer, taking care to center each disk on top of the one beneath it. Repeat until all the layers are used. Do not put apple filling on top of the cake.
• 13. Wrap the cake well and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. This gives the apple filling time to work itself into the cake. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve chilled.

APPLE STACK CAKE

Steps:

• Place apples and water in a 6-qt. stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 40-45 minutes or until apples are softened, stirring occasionally. Mash into a chunky sauce. Stir in brown sugar and pie spice; simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes longer or until liquid is absorbed and sauce is thickened. Cool completely., Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., Divide dough into 8 portions; shape each into a disk. Cut out eight 9-in. circles of parchment. With a floured rolling pin, roll out a dough disk to fit each parchment circle. Transfer to baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Place1 layer on a serving plate; spread with 2/3 cup filling. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer, wrap tightly in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1-2 days or until layers soften. If desired, sprinkle cake with confectioner's sugar.

TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN STACK CAKE

Steps:

• Preparation 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the rack in the middle position.
• Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on medium speed until wet and grainy.
• Add the molasses. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a flexible spatula to get all of the molasses into the mixture.
• Add the eggs one at a time. Scrape all the way to the bottom of the bowl and mix on low speed.
• Alternately add the buttermilk and the dry mixture about a quarter at a time. Stop the mixer to scrape the bowl and turn it on again on low speed for about 10 seconds. The mixture should be stiff like a soft cookie dough.
• Shape the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 6 or 8 equal portions and place each one on a round piece of parchment paper a little larger than a 9-inch cake pan. Roll out the dough to the size of the parchment. Place the cake pan over the disk and trim away the excess around the edge.
• Leaving the parchment paper underneath, lift the disks onto baking sheets and bake them for approximately 10 minutes, or until the top surface appears dry and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Slide the disks off the baking sheet onto a flat surface to cool.
• To make the filling, combine all the ingredients in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan and bring to a light simmer. Immediately transfer to the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse into a thick paste.
• To assemble the cake, spread about 1 cup of the filling onto each layer, taking care to center each disk on top of the one beneath it. Repeat until all the layers are used. Do not put apple filling on top of the cake.
• Wrap the cake well and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. This gives the apple filling time to work itself into the cake. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve chilled.
• Baker's Note:Ideally, you should dry the apples yourself in a fruit-dehydrating machine. If that's not an option, go for store-bought dried apples. Don't cop out and buy applesauce, because the secret to the stack cake is not just what absorbs into the cake, but what doesn't. Jarred applesauce gets lost in the layers, leaving only a soggy stack. Although success isn't guaranteed, you can try to make dried apple slices in the oven. Peel and thinly slice 15 to 20 fresh apples (I like Gala or Cortland). Place them, without overlapping, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake in a 225°F oven for up to 4 hours or until dried.
• From United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State by Warren Brown. Copyright © 2010 by Warren Brown; photographs © 2010 by Joshua Cogan. Published in 2010 by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, an imprint of ABRAMS.