Yankee Layer Cake
📜 Collection: UK2 | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Desserts A spectacularly rich and hearty three-layer spice cake packed with fruits and nuts, held together with a cooked candy-like filling.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mins | 35 mins | None | 1 3-layer cake |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Three 9-inch round cake pans
- Large bowl
- Separate bowl
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Wire rack
- Wooden skewer
Ingredients
For the Cake
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ½ Cup | Butter | Softened |
| 1 Cup | Sugar | None |
| 4 | Egg Yolks | None |
| ½ Cup | Ribbon Cane Syrup | None |
| 2 Cups | Flour | All-purpose |
| ½ tsp | Baking Soda | None |
| 1 tsp | Cinnamon | None |
| 2 tsp | Nutmeg | None |
| 1 tsp | Cloves | None |
| 1 tsp | Allspice | None |
| ⅔ Cup | Buttermilk | None |
| 1 Cup | Raisins | None |
| 1 Cup | Nuts | Chopped |
| 1 large | Apples | Chopped |
| 1 Cup | Coconut | None |
| ½ Cup | Pineapple | Drained and crushed |
For the Filling
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cups | Sugar | None |
| 1 Cup | Milk | None |
| 2 Tbsp | Butter | Size of an egg |
| 1 Cup | Nuts | Chopped |
| 1 Cup | Dates | Chopped |
| 1 Cup | Coconut | None |
| ½ Cup | Pineapple | Drained and crushed |
Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, cream together the ½ cup butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the 4 egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the ½ cup ribbon cane syrup.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the 2 cups flour, ½ tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp cloves, and 1 tsp allspice.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and the ⅔ cup buttermilk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- By hand, stir in the 1 cup raisins, 1 cup nuts, 1 large chopped apples, 1 cup coconut, and ½ cup drained crushed pineapple.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges pull slightly away from the pan.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Filling and Assemble
- In a saucepan, combine all the filling ingredients: 2 cups sugar, 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp butter, 1 cup nuts, 1 cup dates, 1 cup coconut, and ½ cup drained crushed pineapple.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to a spreading consistency and appears glossy.
- Once the cake layers are completely cool, spread the warm filling between the layers and on top of the cake until evenly coated.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Store the assembled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Original Recipe Scan
