5 cups all-purpose flour (625 g), plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¾ cup unsalted butter (170 g), 1 1/2 sticks, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
2 large eggs
1 cup molasses (335 g)
1 cup buttermilk (240 mL)
powdered sugar, for serving
Nutrition Info
Calories 600
Fat 13g
Carbs 111g
Fiber 4g
Sugar 61g
Protein 8g
How to Make It
1. Step
Make the apple filling: Combine the dried apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and water in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes-1 hour, or until the apples are tender and have absorbed the liquid.
2. Step
Mash the apples with a potato masher until no large chunks remain. Remove from the heat and let cool.
3. Step
Make the cake: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Step
In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Step
Add the eggs and molasses, and whisk until fully incorporated and the mixture is light brown.
6. Step
Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and fold with a spatula until fully incorporated. Add half of the buttermilk and stir until fully combined. Continue alternating with the remaining flour and buttermilk, fully incorporating each addition before adding the next. The batter will be thicker than a traditional cake batter.
7. Step
Chill the cake batter for 30 minutes.
8. Step
Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Grease as many 9-inch (22-cm) cake pans as you have and line with parchment paper.
9. Step
Dump the cake batter onto a floured surface and dust with more flour. Pat into a rectangle, then divide into 5 equal pieces.
10. Step
Transfer a piece of cake batter to a prepared pan and pat into an even layer. Bake for 12 minutes, until firm. Repeat with the remaining layers. Let cool completely.
11. Step
To assemble, add a cake layer to a serving plate and top with a layer of apple filling. Spread evenly. Repeat with the remaining cake layers and filling.
12. Step
Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and chill for 24 hours.
13. Step
Dust the cake with powdered sugar, then slice and serve.
