Stack cake
Encyclopedia
A stack cake is a unique regional variation that replaces a wedding cake
, which can be prohibitively expensive in the economically deprived area of Appalachia
, United States
. Friends and family each bring a layer for the cake, and the bride's family spreads apple
preserves, dried apples, or apple butter
between each layer. A stack cake looks like a stack of thick pancake
s. It is thought to have originated in the Beaumont Inn of Harrodsburg, Kentucky
, by the original settler James Harrod
. The higher the amount of layers, the more popular the couple is considered.
Many types of cake layer recipes exist from sponge-like layers of cake to cookie
dough-like ones; sometimes a stack cake includes many variations and flavors. Stack cake parties that do not involve a wedding occur irregularly but typically serve as a way for people to exchange recipes and gossip. Its use is not limited to Kentucky cuisine but all of Appalachia.
In order to accommodate the typical seven or eight layers, each layer was sometimes pressed very flat. A few of more common flavorings used were ginger
, apple
and sorghum
molasses
.
restaurants and magazines. It has also been mentioned by magazines such as Martha Stewart Living
and Parade
.
Wedding cake
A wedding cake is the traditional cake served to the guests at a wedding reception after a wedding. In modern Western culture, it is usually a large cake, multi-layered or tiered, and heavily decorated with icing, usually over a layer of marzipan or fondant...
, which can be prohibitively expensive in the economically deprived area of Appalachia
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Friends and family each bring a layer for the cake, and the bride's family spreads apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
preserves, dried apples, or apple butter
Apple butter
Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of apple sauce, produced by long, slow cooking of apples with cider or water to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes, turning the apple butter a deep brown. The concentration of sugar gives apple butter a much longer shelf life as a preserve...
between each layer. A stack cake looks like a stack of thick pancake
Pancake
A pancake is a thin, flat, round cake prepared from a batter, and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. Most pancakes are quick breads; some use a yeast-raised or fermented batter. Most pancakes are cooked one side on a griddle and flipped partway through to cook the other side...
s. It is thought to have originated in the Beaumont Inn of Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Harrodsburg is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 8,014 at the 2000 census. It is the oldest city in Kentucky.-History:...
, by the original settler James Harrod
James Harrod
James Harrod was a pioneer, soldier, and hunter who helped explore and settle the area west of the Allegheny Mountains. Little is known about Harrod's early life, including the exact date of his birth. He was possibly underage when he served in the French and Indian War, and later participated in...
. The higher the amount of layers, the more popular the couple is considered.
Many types of cake layer recipes exist from sponge-like layers of cake to cookie
Cookie
In the United States and Canada, a cookie is a small, flat, baked treat, usually containing fat, flour, eggs and sugar. In most English-speaking countries outside North America, the most common word for this is biscuit; in many regions both terms are used, while in others the two words have...
dough-like ones; sometimes a stack cake includes many variations and flavors. Stack cake parties that do not involve a wedding occur irregularly but typically serve as a way for people to exchange recipes and gossip. Its use is not limited to Kentucky cuisine but all of Appalachia.
In order to accommodate the typical seven or eight layers, each layer was sometimes pressed very flat. A few of more common flavorings used were ginger
Ginger
Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family . Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal....
, apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
and sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
molasses
Molasses
Molasses is a viscous by-product of the processing of sugar cane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The word molasses comes from the Portuguese word melaço, which ultimately comes from mel, the Latin word for "honey". The quality of molasses depends on the maturity of the sugar cane or sugar beet,...
.
Contemporary cuisine
The practice of stack cake in the region has all but disappeared but renditions of the concept are being revived in some haute cuisineHaute cuisine
Haute cuisine or grande cuisine was characterised by French cuisine in elaborate preparations and presentations served in small and numerous courses that were produced by large and hierarchical staffs at the grand restaurants and hotels of Europe.The 17th century chef and writer La Varenne...
restaurants and magazines. It has also been mentioned by magazines such as Martha Stewart Living
Martha Stewart Living
Martha Stewart Living is a magazine and a television show featuring entertaining and home decorating guru Martha Stewart. Both the magazine and the television program focus on the domestic arts. Martha Stewart Living began as a quarterly magazine in 1990, published by Time Inc..and is currently...
and Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
.
Sources
- Kentucky Cuisine
- Recipe from Marthastewart.com
- History from Appalachian Heritage
- NYTimes Article on Layer Cakes