Granny Hill's Dried Apple Stack Cake

This past week-end, Daddy and Candy came down for a visit. While they were here, they got to go to our Upward Games on Saturday and we painted the living room and two front hallways. They are always so wonderful to help us out around the house.

Candy brought me several old recipes from her, her mom, Nannie Ray and Daddy's mom, Granny Hill. I look forward to trying and sharing those over the next few months. Along with the recipes, Candy brought Granny Hill's Dried Apple Stack Cake. She said she remembers having this cake at Christmas each year with Granny Hill. We enjoyed this yummy cake for dessert while they were visiting.

Granny Hill's 90th Birthday Celebration

Granny Hill's Dried Apple Stack Cake

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup molasses

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar; add egg, molasses, buttermilk and mix well. Stir in flour, ginger, and vanilla. Roll out dough as you would for a pie crust or spoon into greased pan and pat out to edge. This should make six thin layers. Bake layers for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Stack layers with cooked apples and end with cooked apples on top. Slice in thin layers to serve.

Cooked Dried Apples

Put 1 pound of dried apples in heavy pan and cover with cold water. Cook until soft enough to mash. While still hot, mash apples and add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup white sugar, 4 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp cloves and 1 tsp. allspice. Cook down until apples turn dark color like apple butter.

If dried apples are not available, cook several pounds of cooking apples in enough water to cover apples and add spice and sugars. Cook until mixture is very thick.

Notes: The cake is better made up in thin layers sandwiches with apple filling. It is also better to make ahead and let it set for a few days before eating.