Classic Smith Island Cakes Recipes

SMITH ISLAND CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare icing: Combine cream and corn syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring mixture just to a simmer, stirring often. Remove from the heat.
• Place chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl and pour hot cream mixture over top. Sprinkle with salt and let stand 2 minutes. Whisk until completely smooth and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Chill icing in the refrigerator until thickened and spreadable, about 45 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Meanwhile prepare cake layers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray nine 8 1/2-inch round disposable cake pans with cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper and spray that gently with more cooking spray.
• Beat butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment at medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and beat just until incorporated after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk in 3 batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating on medium speed.
• Divide batter evenly (about 1 cup each) among prepared pans and smooth with an offset spatula. Bake, in batches, until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto wire racks to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Place 1 cake layer on an 8-inch round cake board and spread with 1/3 cup icing using a small offset spatula. Top with another cake layer and spread with 1/3 cup icing. Repeat the process with remaining layers and icing. Coat the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of icing. Chill cake for 1 hour and reserve remaining icing.
• Place chilled cake on a wire rack over a rimmed baking pan. Microwave reserved icing at medium (50%) power in 30-second intervals, stirring after each one, until smooth and pourable, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Pour icing in a slow, steady stream over the top of the cake, starting at the center and moving to the outer edges so it flows down the sides. Smooth out the sides and fill any gaps with a small offset spatula.
• Chill cake until set, about 1 hour. Carefully transfer cake to a serving plate. Serve at room temperature.

MRS KITCHING'S SMITH ISLAND 10-LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Lightly grease and flour dust 10 (or aim at baking 3 at a time) 9-inch round pans. (I also use greased parchment on bottom.) Oven middle rack, 350°F.
• Cream together sugar and butter.
• Add eggs one at a time. Beat till smooth.
• Sift flour with salt and baking powder and mix into batter one cup at a time.
• Slowly pour in evaporated milk while mixing.
• Then add vanilla and water till batter is uniform.
• Put 1/2 cup of batter into pan, smoothing out with back of spoon.
• Bake for 8 minutes or until it no longer 'sizzles' in pan. Layers will be slightly golden and released from pan edges. Let cool only 3 minutes in pan.
• Run spatula around edge (if it tears, use as a middle layer.) and cool on rack.
• Icing: Melt butter then remove from heat.
• Stir in evaporated milk.
• Whisk in cocoa till smooth and return to low heat for 10 minutes. Stir and do NOT boil or scorch.
• Remove from heat and whisk in confectioners' sugar slowly.
• Return to low heat occasionally stirring for about 45 minutes or until icing is thick and sticks to back of spoon or whisk. Cool.
• Put two tablespoons of icing between each layer and spread just barely to the edge before next layer goes on top. Take your time as icing will be 'fluid' and harden or dry out slowly.