Smith Island Cake Recipe
Maryland's official state dessert, 9 layer chocolate cake
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Ingredients
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Cake Layers
Chocolate Frosting
Method
Cake Layer Preparation
- 1
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour nine 9-inch round cake pans.
- 2
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- 3
- 4
Combine Mixtures
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- 5
Add Boiling Water
Carefully stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth (the batter will be thin).
- 6
Bake the Layers
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 7
Cool the Layers
Allow the cake layers to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Frosting Preparation
- 8
Make the Frosting
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, alternating with milk, until desired consistency is reached. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Assembly
- 9
Layer the Cake
Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining layers, stacking them and frosting the top and sides of the cake.
- 10
Final Touch
Once assembled, use the remaining frosting to cover the entire cake, smoothing it out as needed. Let the cake set for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
