Stack Cake

We have WELCA tonight and I'm the hostess - so I made a southern specialty - "Stack Cake". I've read that this was often used as a wedding cake in the southern Appalachians. It's thin layers of gingerbread with a thick icing of Applesauce (made from dried apples - http://affectioknit.blogspot.com/2006/10/more-apple-y-goodness-ive-been-running.html) in between each layer. I made this yesterday so it would have time to "soak" - it's better that way.

The "Icing"


I just filled my 6 qt. stockpot almost to the top with dried apples and filled about 1/2 full with water - they soak up a lot of water so you'll have to add some more later. Bring to a boil and simmer about 1 hour - until all the liquid is absorbed and you have a thick applesauce. I added a dash of sea salt and 1 1/2 cups of turbinado sugar - the apples were already a pretty brown color. That's it.

The Gingerbread

My dear Mother-in-law has sent several Gingerbread recipes that she used when the Man was little - because he wanted a Gingerbread just like Mom used to make - I think we've tried 6 different recipes - and none of them were "spot on". But anyway this one is my favorite and easily veganized:

Blend
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter - I used Earth Balance
2 eggs - I used 2 T Red Mill with 6 T water

Stir In
3/4 cup molasses - I used sorghum syrup because that's what I had.

Combine all dry ingredients and add alternately with 1 cup Buttermilk - I used 1 cup whole fat soymilk with 1 T vinegar

Dry Ingredients:
2 3/4 cup flour
2 t. soda
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt
1 T. Ginger - the MIL made a note on the recipe that the original recipe called for 2 t. ginger - but she always used 1 T. - so I used 1 T.

I greased my 9 inch pans with Earth Balance and lightly floured them - then scooped about 5 spoonfuls of mix into each pan - Bake at 350 for about 8 to 10 minutes - it doesn't take long - I made 5 full size stack cakes and one little one which I already ate - I had to test it before I serve it to the ladies. To serve just cut into wedges like any regular layer cake...

~Have a lovely day!