Fourteen Layer Cake. This is apparently a favorite at family get togethers in the South. Now, I’m from the South and I’ve never heard of such a thing. Actually, when I first heard the name, I didn’t believe it. Fourteen individually baked layers … no way. Who would do that? And… why? Then, I thought, it must be good if someone goes to that much trouble. And I did want something new to bake for Valentine’s Day.
Hmmm…let the googling begin.
Well, they do exist. In no time, I had the recipe for a 10-Layer Cake, a 12-Layer Cake and a 14-Layer Cake.
Looks like I’ve been going to the wrong parties.
I decided to go with the 12-Layer Cake recipe because it looked like it would work the best for me. The 10 would be too small and the one for the 14 called for cutting the cake layers and I didn’t think that would go very well. So I used the 12 and just poured it into fourteen pans. Fourteen aluminum foil pans. That way I didn’t have to wait for the pans to cool and be cleaned in between baking. This was a huge time saver.
Here they are … fourteen – 8.5″ pans… Shiny!
Then, I cut 14 sheets of parchment paper, stapled them together and cut out circles the same size as the bottom of the pan.
I decided to err on the side of caution with greasing the pans, because fourteen stuck cakes would make me very unhappy.
So, I greased the bottom and sides with a stick of butter. Then, I laid the parchment circles down and lightly buttered and floured the top of the parchment paper.
Please work!
While those are waiting, I mixed up all the ingredients for the cake batter –
the HUGE amount of cake batter. (Mom, if you’re reading this… thank you again for my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
. I love it.)
Then I placed a heaping 2/3 cup full of batter in each pan.
Then, just spread it out as evenly as possible.
I was able to bake three cakes at a time. Each set baked for 12 minutes at 350 degrees, (the recipe says 375, but I went with 350). So that means there were five sets at 12 minutes each. (About an hour to bake. Not too bad.)
When the last batch of cakes go in the oven, it’s a good time to start making the icing.
Then, after the icing cools and before it hardens, you can start spreading a little bit on the top of each layer of cooled cake. Before you start… place the cake on a cake board. Place the board on a wire rack. And place the wire rack over a jelly roll pan to catch any icing that drips.
and it will drip…
and drip…
and drip…
and drip. It kinda looks like chocolate covered pancakes!
Right about now, I had to control myself from taking a big huge bite right out of the side. YUM!
When you’re done with the last layer, pour any extra icing over the top and spread it around the sides to cover.
Now, based on the recipe, you’re done. You can let the icing set and eat it right up. The finished cake will look something like this.
I didn’t really like that too much, so I whipped up a quick dark chocolate buttercream frosting and covered the cake to even out the top and sides.
There… much better. (I know, I know. It lost some of the “homemade, old-fashioned feel.”)
But, I think if you served the cake like this, no one would suspect there were lots of little layers inside.
And, when you finally cut it open, people would be like… wow!
I MEAN WOW!!!!!!!!
I can’t tell you how happy I was to finally cut into this cake and see how pretty it was… and even better, that it worked. And, it was really good and super moist, too. YAY!
Enjoy!
The recipe I used:
The Smith Family’s 12-Layer Cake (used with 14 pans)
Some other recipes you might like:
10-Layer Cake (Smith Island Cake Recipe)
14-Layer Cake (uses a cake mix)
14-Layer Cake (you cut the layers with this one)
Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ( I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa)
1 box (1 lb) confectioner’s sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1-3 Tbsp milk
- Cream the butter and cream cheese with a mixer.
- Add the cocoa and vanilla.
- Add the confectioner’s sugar in small batches and blend on low until combined. Scrape down sides with each addition.
- Add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until you get the consistency you desire.
Some helpful tools:
Aluminum foil cake pans
Cake board
Cake rack
Jellyroll pan
Happy Baking!
It is gorgeous! Yummy! I showed my husband and said I HAVE to make that! :)
The link to the recipe says to make the batter in three batches – but you just tripled the recipe and made it all at once, right? Or did you make it three separate times? It looks fantastic – I’m looking forward to trying it!
So glad you added the extra icing. I grew up in the South and have tasted lots of 12 layer cakes. I have to say that I never really loved them b/c I never thought they had enough icing. This is definitely one that I could fall in love with. Thanks.
I’ve never heard of such a cake – definitely looks like one to try! I made a flourless chocolate cake for Valentine’s and it took all my willpower to NOT just eat the whole thing right away…
Wow wow wow! I want a bite sooooooo bad! Man that looks delicious!
OMG!! This looks amazing I am going to have to try this soon!!!
I think I sat here for 2 minutes with my mouth hanging open before I could scroll down to comment.
This looks AMAZING!!!!
WOW, that is amazing! You definitely have patience…I would have taken a huge chunk at layer 6 at least!
You are so inspiring…I have to try this out!
;) amy
This is soo beautiful and amazing!! I cant wait to try and make it and impress my friends
:-p I finally received my copy of Hello Cupcake and can’t wait to try to make some of those cupcakes!! I have a question, for my sone party we are doing a skateboard party and I was wondering if you could help with any ideas for a skateboard cupcake?? Cant seem to find anything online…
This is absolutely beautiful! The layers are perfect. It just makes me want to reach through the page and take a slice!
Good jog!
I’ve never heard of a 14 layer cake and I’m from the South. However, I’d like to get to know one! lol. Your cake looks amazing and delicious!
Yeah, I am from the South and we make these all the time. I wouldn’t ruin it with the buttercream, just leave it looking messy, grab a tall glass of milk and eat it one delicious layer at a time. YUMMY!
Wow is definitely the right word. Also ‘Amazing’
Wow that is amazing! I’ve had a 12 layer Coconut Cake at Peninsula Grill in Charleston, SC. I guess the multiple layers IS a big thing in the south.
I agree with some of the previous comments- this is most definitely a Smith Island cake. I grew up a short boat ride away from Smith Island, so needless to say, I also grew up eating these cakes.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88412262
You’ve inspired me and I think I may finally work up the nerve to try making one myself though.
You are always setting the bar a little bit higher! I can’t believe how perfect you got it on your first try. Check out the Neiman Marcus version ($100 plus shipping).
All I can say is BEAUTIFUL, ok and impressive :)
Great job, it did look like chocolate covered pancakes yummy.
That looks insane! Good job.
That reminds me of a cake that I grew up eating. It is a family tradition on your birthday to get a doubache (sp?) cake. The icing on the middle is chocolate while the outside icing is white with chocolate sprinkles. The best come from Lubley’s bkery in St. Louis MO. They are amazing!
It looks delish and I love how easy it is!
Growing up in East TN, I thought everybody had these wonderful cakes. My Nana makes a 14 layer apple cake that is amazing. Yet another great reason to live in the South.
wow…this is absolutely jaw-dropping stunning!!!
Wow. Wow, wow, wow! I have never heard of this cake…I’ve heard of the Coca-cola cakes…but not a 14 layer cake. It looks amazing. I think I am going to have to make one of these for a family get together. I think I might try it in like a Red Velvet…that red pop would be beautiful.
That looks divinely delicious!!! I am going to have to make this cake!
If I keep coming to your site I am going to weigh 300 lbs! LOL
NOW! I must make that now!
wow. now i really want some cake. that looks so yummy!
Do you have a day job?
OMG that looks amazing!! You are so talented!
wow, it looks delicious. I’m from Turkey. http://www.renklipastalar.blogspot.com.
I’m not as good as you, but I’m trying. Wish you a nice week …
i remember cakes like this mainly at the holidays. my grandma would use jelly between the layers though and white frosting(can’t remember exactly what flavor whether it was vanilla or cream cheese) on the exterior. now, i’m feeling inspired to make one myself, but i have too many other projects on my plate to get to first.
Wow!! Wow wow wow wow! This looks so good!! All that hard work and it definately paid off!
so cool!! i love it!!
wanted to let you know i made my first batch of cake pops for my daughter’s valentine party and they were a huge hit. they have that “wow” factor, too, when people find out you made, not bought them.
love your great ideas!
Awesome ! I like this cake but surely it involves alot of work to do. I like the frosted look too.
cute idea!
That cake looks amazing! I just went to this new steakhouse restaurant that opened up and they had a 16 layer chocolate cake on the menu so of coarse I had to order! The pieces were ridiculous, it was like eating a mini cake to yourself. Your cake sounds just as delicious as the one i tried! happy baking!
This is fabulous! I made your cupcake pops for my Valentines and the pops were a big hit. Thanks for all of the great info on your blog!
Melanie
Wow! that is amazing! those are one of those cake you know is going to taste even better than it looks pamela http://www.frenchknots.blogspot.com
Gorgeous! So worth the wait!
my family makes something similar to this, but with apple butter in between the layers. if you let it sit for a couple of days, the moistness and sweetness just permeates the entire cake and makes it absolutely divine. :)
wow, I’m born and raised in the south and never heard of this either. I might have to try it soon!
That looks so good! Growing up in Detroit, whenever we went to a deli, we’d get a slice of a 7 layer cake. It’s just like the 14 layer, but shorter and rectangular. All the Jewish delis have them. Yummy!
AWESOME! I am truly inspired to do the same! Very impressive! Thanks for all the direction…It does look better with the final frosting! Thanks!
You’ve done it again:)
FANTABULOUS!! Amazing cake and tutorial! Thanks for the step by step pics. You rock!! And that cake looks super yummy!!!
Carolina girl here and this is my favorite cake. It’s really not to hard to do…taught my hubby and he made the last one :o) and it had 16 layers.
THAT is way cool, but I will not make it because after that valentine’s heart cake, we need a bit of a break from the sugar. Or, I should say, I need a little break from my kids ON the sugar. Whoa.
But later for sure…I’ll bookmark it. Thanks for the post…my treadmill thanks you too, my ass does not.
It looks like my g-ma’s layered cake. She does a caramel on as well but I prefer the chocolate.
This reminds me of a dessert popular here in Louisiana called a doberge (pronounced: doe-bah-zh (french “j”)) cake. The history of the cake: http://blog.nola.com/anguslind/2008/11/architect_albert_ledners_story.html
Love the blog,
Rene’ in La.
Wow, that’s a beautiful cake! Totally has my mouth watering.
It looks a lot like a Doberge cake – they are common here in the New Orleans area. I usually order one for my birthday every year – they are my favorite! Here’s a pic to illustrate:
http://www.bakesmartonline.com/ambrosia/Admin/images/mChocolate%20Doberge%20Cut.jpg
Great job!
You are a dream come true.
It’s my sons birthday coming up I am so going to do this cake!
this is A-MAZING! I am a Southern girl myself and have never heard of such a treat. My husband loves chocolate cakes, so this might be the ticket for his birthday!! Mmmm, thanks for sharing.
I recently saw an article for a cupcake recipe that was a spin off of the Smith Island cake. It calls for baking cupcakes and then thinly slicing each one and layering chocolate ganache in between each layer. It sounds sooooo time consuming but the finished product looks so cool!
I just made five 4 layer cakes, which basically was 10 cakes for a valentines banquet fundraiser, plus another cake for my friend’s birthday. Now I am have nightmares about cake baking and it going wrong now! But once I am past these dreams I am definitely going to try this, it looks amazing!
I like making layer ‘cakes’ with crepes. I usually stack up about 30 of them, and then frost them up, and people are always surprised when they find out it’s crepes inside, but this looks fabulous too!
This is totally something I would try. I think my biggest fear is that the layers would bake up uneven and the whole tower would turn out lopsided! Any trouble w /that?
That is just beautiful. And your presentation of it actually is giving me confidence to try…
Us New Orleaniens call that a doberge cake. Yours looks lovely.
My husband’s aunt Gwen makes these. Do you turn the layers out hot onto a wire rack, or do you allow them to cool first? Aunt Gwen uses the pans that have the ‘runner’ around the bottom, of which I have 2 antique ones. Love your site, so glad I found it.
I would have botched that up back at layer 5, lol! Awesome work
Who woulda thunk! Gorgeous!
Ho-ly COW! That is a true test of a great baker – that you would attempt such a feat in the first place and that it would be so successful. I’m in awe!
That is amazing. I love the surprise factor of cutting into a cake with fourteen layers.
Now I just want to bake it myself…
MMmmmmmmm. I’m about to climb in through my screen and get a slice.
Beautiful. And the photos are FAB!
My father-in-law made a 64-layer cake for a friend’s 64th b-day! He cheated a little and used crepes instead of fluffy cake. It took 2 days to make, but was worth every minute!
We made that in pastry school! Looks of fun!
very inspiring bakerella!! it looks amazing!!! i appreciate you sharing some of your time-saving tricks with us, makes it seem a lot less daunting to give it a try :)
I’ve long been curious about this cake. It looks as stunning as I’d imagined it–maybe even more so!
WOW! This cake is just over the top beautiful! I’d love to be able to have someone to make it for!
Oh yeah…that is amazing! What a show stopper! I love the idea of the using foil pans. Clever girl! ;)
I love things that make your eyebrows shoot straight up and this cake did that for me…I may just do this at our next family party…hummm, that would be Easter. Maybe I need to do a practice run before that!
Robin Rane’
All Things Heart and Home
That is a beautiful cake! Amazing~
oh wow. I could never even attempt something like this!
yes you are very patient!! It turned out gorgeous as always.
I’ll have mine with a tall glass of skim milk please. that way we even out the calories.
(~~)
Julie
Wow that looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to make a 12 or 14 layer cake, but didn’t like the idea of trying to cut the layers. I like your idea much better. This is fantastic!
I have to say “WOW” too. I absolutely love it!
I just discovered your blog and flickr page last week and I’m so excited! I immediately read all your archives :) You’re incredibly creative and talented and I’m looking forward to future posts. LOVE this cake- looks delish and I can’t wait to give it a try one day this week! Keep ’em coming! You’re amazing!
Wow is right!
It looks amazing! Definitely looks best with the buttercream icing on the sides.
Wow that looks awesome! I have a question. Will a 5 quart stand mixer be big enough for this cake batter batch?
Wow! That is the most amazing, beautiful, tall, gorgeous, cake I have ever seen! I love the extra frosting you put on! Perfect! Thank you for sharing and trying it out for us! =:)
Blessings!
~Rachel~
That looks amazing! I saw really tall cakes like this on an old movie called Pollyanna and I wondered what they were. And I’m from the south too. Now I know- and I’m drooling…
Incredible cake and your photos made my mouth water! I hadn’t heard of a 14 layer cake either… Thank you for baking and posting that amazing cake.
*Rainey
Yumzo! I’ve never seen (or eaten) a Doberge cake with layers that thin. Any Doberge cake I’ve ever had has a thicker filling (custardy or sweetened whipped cream with fruit for a fresh fruit doberge), AND the most layers I’ve seen a doberge made is 12.
That is the COOLEST thing! Seriously. It looks like it took forever but it’s so pretty! You’re amazing…
Geeze and I thought my 4 layer cream cheese banana cake was hot stuff! You put me to shame.
I wonder how that would taste with ganache…..drooollllling.
I’m not much of a baker myself, but I appreciate another’s hard work and creativity.
Your site is just lovely and the layer cake is awesome!
Love your photos, love your commentary. Keep posting! :)
Oh snap! That is so amazing, this is one of those things that I’ll just have to try for the experience! It’s so cool!!! And can you get more perfect with the FOURTEEN LAYERS ON VALENTINES DAY???
Wow, I’ve never heard of that! It looks good (and huge!) but too much work for me to try ;) I love seeing you do it, though, you’re so good at all the baking things :)
mouth. won’t. stop. watering…
aghhhhhhhh! so good! must try to make it. if i can resist not eating it half way through! :)
Angie
Can I be adopted into your family? Is there room at the table? I’ll bring my own chair.
Now that cake; as elementary as it seems to put together, is nothing less than a masterpiece, but we are talking Miss Angie here. Should we expect any less?
BRAVO!
absolutely beautiful. today is my 27th birthday, so have a piece for me!
This looks like one heck of a cake…WOW! I must try this for my next occasion.
I’m originally from Appalachian KY and mom (who is NOT – she’s actually Portuguese) learned to make a dried apple stack cake from my grandmother (the more layers the better). I remember Mom would turn her cake pans upside down and bake the cake on the back (stiff dough). It’s a molasses-type cake with spiced dried apples. I’d nearly forgotten how Mam’maw used to have strings of dried apples and beans hanging in her enclosed back porch.
http://community.berea.edu/appalachianheritage/issues/fall2004/memoir.html
That looks absolutely amazing. Great job!
That looks so scrumptious! You could make a burnt biscuit look great! LOL Thanks for sharing.
This is the cake! I have wanted to at least compete (with myself!) to find a cake for my partner’s birthday on the 20th! This might beat out last years creation (Chocolate Stout Cake–DIVINE!–all three layers)!
I can’t wait to try this! Thank you!
WOWZA! What a cake! Yum. :)
Amazing. I want to be like you when I grow up. You have the best ideas and it all looks so simple. Makes me think I can do this too.
your cake looks yummy.. i was wondering with the cream cheese in the icing ,does the cake have to be
refrigerated. also I made the oreo truffles and everybody loved them..thanks!
You. Are. Amazing.
This is beautiful!
As I looked at the pictures, all I could say was WOW!!!! Then you said it too! I look forward to your blog so much and you have taught me that baking is fun and not as hard as I thought it was. I made the cake mix cookies for my son’s Valentines party and they were a big hit! Thank you so much for making me more comfortable with baking!!!
Oh my stars. This looks simply divine!!!!!!!!
I love this beautiful cake! I enjoy different cakes for the family for birthdays and now I have found it!Thanks
I think I wouldn’t even bother with a plate… just hand me a fork and let me go to town. The simple things in life are the most decadent ;o)
That cake looks amazing! I definatly want to make it for my next dinner party. I had never heard of this before, also. I love the individual pans. You always have great short cuts.
I live in Mississippi and haven’t seen a multiple layer cake like this before! I’m definitely going to try this! :-)
One of these cakes is a staple at my family reunion every year. Yum!
I'm glad I wasn't the only one to never hear of this cake. But I'm glad there are a bunch of you who have actually had one. And for everyone who seems a little intimidated, it really wasn't that bad. Just took a little more time.
And, If you make one, I think it tastes better the day it's made. The frosting almost made it too moist for me a couple of days later.
Melissa – glad I could take you back for a minute.
alisaz – trust me… I was tempted.
morgana – you make me laugh
Victoria – that would be pretty. try it for me.
Monica H – the idea for the pans came from a tip in the recipe. Thank goodness.
tamilyn – it wasn't that bad.
jennie w. – they're so thin, I was afraid I would mutilate them
Anonymous – looking that up… thanks!
Cindy – the icing recipe that pours is in the link to the 12-Layer Cake
Lauren & Eddie – Aren't all brothers weird by default.
creativecarryout – Yes. But only for a bunch of people.
Missy – yes. caramel would be yummy
Julie Marie Winans – thanks I linked to a recipe for the Smith Isalnd Cake, but it was only for 10 layers, so I wasn't sure if it was the same one.
Liz – I was going to, but when I was all done, it didn't happen.
Knitnut,Karen – thanks. I think so too
BMoreSweet – Thanks for the link
Annapolitan – Frying pan? Yikes. Now, that's work.
Jennifer – Do you have a recipe?
The Chic Cakery – I felt the same way
tastefully sweet – thanks for the link
Angie – Lucky you live nearby
Carol Ann – it just sold recently.
Maryjane – nope. if your layers are flat, you won't need to.
Paula – I didn't even know state's had cakes. I guess this Famous Smith Island Cake from Maryland made it to a family reunion in Georgia.
Annie – more like cake.
Happy Hollister's – not yet, but my mom loves carrot cake so maybe I should.
The Cookie Girl – it's in the mail.
Hi! I’m also from the deep South – Georgia and Alabama. I’m thinking it might be a deep south thing, since your other Alabama readers are also familiar with it? I’m also thinking it’s something from our grandparents’ era? I’ve only ever seen sweet older ladies serve it. Maybe only they had the patience to attempt it? Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration. It’s so pretty and you made it sound doable, so I think I’ll give it a try!
Wow!!! So cool and delicius yumi
it´s a great idea
Salute from:
MONCLOVA,COAHUILA.MEXCIO
WOW. That cake is amazing! Will you be my mommy?
Amazing cake. Need lots of patience. Thanks for the recipes I might give this a try.
Hey Y’all…..this is what we call a Doberge cake in Mobile Alabama. My daughter requests this cake every year for her birthday. The local bakeries still make these, especially during this time of year due to Mardi Gras celebrations. Love your blog!
i aspire to be just like you! those of us who are OCD would have a very hard time making this cake successfully!
Looks good Bakerella! And I thought everyone knew about this kind of cake. Hmm. =D
I make an 8 layer version of this for family shindigs, but I put pecans on top.
Dad burn it! Now I want a piece!
Jami
I’ve lived in the south my whole life and never heard of this cake, either. Apparently, I’ve been missing out! Yum!
WOW!! That is amazing and looks so delicious!!
http://www.scrapbookdiaries.blogspot.com
OMGosh! Stop my beating HEART!!!!
14 layers of divine sweetness covered in heavenly chocolate….
I have had a cake similar to this a few years ago.
since you are ridiculously close to me….do you think you could just make me one and bring it to me? Pretty Pleeeeeeease! :)
I don’t really know what to write….WOW! YIKES! HOLY COW! Now, that’s a cake indeed! ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
my sister makes this for the holidays every year! It’s my favorite thing she makes. I love it!!
holy cow!
Amazing and beautiful all at the same time. I really want to try this. Have you ever tried doing anything fun with a carrot cake. I have a to die for carrot cake recipe that I could share with you, but all I can seem to do with it is a round cake as it is pretty moist. I need some fun ideas for a baby shower. :-)
ooohhh, I will definitely have to try this sometime! It reminds me of this Martha Stewart Recipe, but that one is crepes. Did yours taste like crepes or cake?
Amazing! Did you know that this layer cake is the State Cake for Maryland? http://www.mdkidspage.org/StateSymbols.htm
Yours looks much better!
Paula L.
WOW is right, just beautiful!!
Did you have to put skewers in or anything to keep it from tipping? Or does the chocolate between the layers make it nice and sturdy?
YUM-O!!! looks fantastic!!!
I was just starting to think of what kind of cake to make for my dad’s birthday and there it was on your site! That looks so good I wanted to take a big bite out of it! Amazing as usual!
Wow, just WOW! It looks delicious and also a major pain. I have lived in the South ( South Louisiana) all my life, and have never heard of anyone making a 14 layer cake. The closest thing I can think of would be a Doberge cake, made in the traditional Chocolate or Lemon. But even that only have 6 layers.
http://gambinos.info/cakes/doberge.html
Simply stunning!! You did a beautiful job! I am up for the challenge…one day I will make this cake.
Wow, this is a labor of love! It looks fabulous.
By any chance is the house next to your for sale? I’d make a great neighbor and taste-tester. Wow.
Yep, yep, just like a few others have said above me, it’s a Smith Island Cake, from Maryland. Around here, you can get them in a variety of different flavors. Everything from creamsicle to peanut butter. The thin layers combined with the icing make for the craziest, sweetest, moistest, most delicious cake (not to mention time consuming to make!) They go for big bucks in the bakeries!
I just had to comment on this. There are several cakes I make that have this many or even more layers. While being a PAIN to make, they are always worth the ton of work they require. My favourite cake ever is a Russian Layered Honey Cake, it usually has at least 12 layers, I believe the last one I made had 15. And they are all rolled out, so no shortcuts like 14 separate tins… If you are curious, you can see it here: http://tastefullysweetcakes.wordpress.com/
Great job on the cake and it must have been really good!
Even thought I knew there were going to be fourteen layers inside the finished cake, I was will wowed by the sliced pic!
I’m also from the South (well, I guess it’s technically the Southwest, but who’s counting?), and I have never heard of this. Although after seeing one in action, I have apparently been missing out!
Holy Smoke! I am SOOOOO gonna do this! How awesome!
Thanks for sharing.
Oh my! That looks amazing! You are a dynamo!
My grandmother used to make this cake but the layers were made in a cast iron skillet. She cooked each layer on top of the stove. She had either chocolate or that yummy caramel icing. It was SOOOO good.
Thank you so much for posting this. This is my all time favorite cake from my childhood in the south and I have often wondered how to make it. Thank you!
Wow! That looks great! I’ve seen this kind of cake before and always wondered how they did it. I thought they probably cut the cake to make the layers, but that was way too intimidating for me. I like your method and I think I’ll try it.
Great cake!!!! Looks really tasty!
Congrats!
Wow! That is one delicious looking cake!!
I’m from the deep South as well and I’ve never had this. But it looks yummy! I think I’m going to link you on my blog just to start the week off right. Thanks for doing all the hard work!
Oh! That looks absolutely amazing! Great idea with the disposable pans, too. Now I have to try it…hope mine comes out as beautiful!
I have always known these as “Hundred Layer Cakes”, although obviously they are usually much closer to your 14 layers. I tried to make one once and as a cautionary tale to your readers – be 100,000% sure that your cake pans are all exactly the same size! Yours is beautiful. I love the idea of using disposable pans and I do wish I had thought of that….
I’ve seen cakes like this where the layers were cooked like pancakes. After each layer had cooled from the frying pan, they were stacked with icing between.
Has anyone ever tried pouring cake batter into a frying pan to see if the layers would bake this way?
This is the traditional Smith Island cake. The people of Smith Island, in Maryland, claim it as their own. I blogged about it a while back and made one, too:
http://www.bmoresweer.blogspot.com.
It’s crazy-good! GOOD JOB, Jessie!
yum yum yum!! i am suddenly changing my mind for breakfast!!!
Unbelieveable!!! That cake is gorgeous and the pictures with the chocolate running down the side? I totally agree…chocolate pancakes.
THAT is just amazing!!
I just realized I needed a great chocolate frosting recipe for my daughters chocolate cupcakes today (her 3rd bday!) I will try out this yummy frosting today. Thanks for sharing! :)
Well now I know what I’m doing for my toddler’s birthday next week! You are a goddess!
Fabulous!!! You did a great job with this…as you always do your other projects. This oddly reminds me of the crepe cake I made once.
WOW!!!!!!! Sooo COOL!!!! It looks beautiful too!
This looks amazing! I will def. be making this soon.
This sort of looks like a Doberge cake (dough-bage with a soft “g”), which is a huge favorite here in New Orleans. For a lot of people it the the birthday standard. The filling, though is more custard-like…and I’ve never counted the layers, so I’m not sure if there are 14, but there are a lot and they are thin like that.
I don’t think i could ever do that!
That looks WONDERFUL…but I don’t think I would ever have the patience to make that :) (especially with buttering all the pans). Super pictures!
Kaye
HOLY GOODNESS!!
Boy, does that look delicious! I think it looks better when you added the butter cream icing! Well done!
My three year old is sitting here with me and keeps chanting chocolate pancakes! chocolate pancakes!!! This cake looks devine! Did you wash and save the cake pans?
I have definitely never done this, but my brother-in-law’s grandmother, who is most definitely southern, does. So I believe your story!
This cake is called a Smith Island Cake and has been named the official Dessert of Maryland and they have been making it that way for years.
When I lived in New Orleans, we called this Doberge Cake. Is it the same thing? It looks the same.
My SE Louisiana mother-in-law still serves a Doberge cake every time we visit.
I must make this soon. Thanks for sharing.
My great-grandmother & grandmother used to make these all the time (sometimes with a caramel frosting or white frosting) YUM! I guess it is a southern thing – I live in Alabama.
Brilliant idea to use all those foil pans.
Stunning!
This look AMAZING! I will definitely have to try this sometime!
Completely gorgeous, but I have to know –
Would you make it again?
Michelle
http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/
YUMMY! I love this cake! :) We have several ladies at church that make it and it’s always my favorite. I’ve never attempted it, but you make me want to!
Wow! So glad you learned about something new and Southern. I’ve never been brave enough to make one, but we have them at most birthdays around my house. In fact, my brother, who is weird at times, had a 14-layer chocolate cake with strawberry icing on the outside for his birthday recently. It was better than it sounds!
This looks so good! I almost ate my computer screen!
What kind of icing did you pour over the cake? Maybe you mentioned it in the post. I’ll have to go back and look.
hi.im from Malaysia and multi layered cakes are one of our sacred menus here. yours are baked in 14 seperate pans, but our layered cakes are baked or steamed (yep, steamed to lock the moisture, i prefer the steamed version) in 1 pan. it is sold at quite a high price for a small piece.
you can google for “kek lapis” or “kek lapis sarawak” for images and details on how its made.
*kek=cake, lapis=layer, sarawak=one of a state in Malaysia.
My first thought was to bake regular cake layers but cut them with the wire cake slicer. But you didn’t like that idea? It sounds easier than cutting 12 parchment circles! :-)
I love the way it turned out. Maybe I can convince one of my kids that they want this for their birthday.
Wow! Happy valentines day to *you*, too.
I like the final cake and all the layers look so wonderful when you cut it. Many years ago I used a recipe from an AWW book and made a rectangular layer cake and it was cooked in very thin layers under the griller. It worked really well.
WOW!
If only I had the inclination to do this – just baking a batch of cupcakes has left me grumpy this week! ;-)
Not only am I impressed with the cake, itself, but I'm impressed with the way you cut it! lol It's perfect & beautiful.
Wow, thats the yummiest cake Ive ever seen! I wish I could do something like that in my convetion oven, mabie I could downsize it a little.
YUMMY!!
~mathi~
http://mathizworldofcakes.blogspot.com
Looks fantastic, but a lot of work!
Wow! This is amazingly beautiful & wonderful! I shall try this one day…just one day! Wow wow!!
I’m from the south and have lived here all my life and I’ve never heard of such thing.
This cake looks amazing and I am in total awe. It almost looks like a crepe cake.
What a great idea to use aluminum pans. I’ve wanted to make multi layer cakes but I always talk myself out of it because I don’t want to have to clean the pans in between baking.
Absolutely Fabulous!
Wow, this is certainly just…WOW. It would make a spectacular wedding cake!
Oh god amazing!!
Beautiful! For some reason, it’s appearance reminds me of chocolate wafter cookies I’ve eaten before. I dunno why. It looks very neat though. I bet this would also be interesting with the cake batter dyed different colors! Like a rainbow of cake layers!
Wow- what an amazing looking creation!
Oh my!!! Eat this must be a sin. I’m a sinner!!!
One again… Thank you for your great work and your incredible ideas.
Oh my… my mouth is watering at the sight!
That is amazing!! I can’t believe you went through all that work putting layers together, I would have given up after the 6th layer and started dipping the pieces directly into the icing and eating them. Looks about as tall as Cheesecake Factory Cakes, and that is a feat worth bragging about..
That is too cool! I can hear all the oohs and ahhhs it brings to the table!
OMG how yum!!!
leslie
HOLY SMOKES! That’s one fabulous cake. My mouth is watering. I NEED that cake! Lol…
I hope my sister sees this. Maybe she’ll bake one for my next birthday *keeps fingers crossed*
Amazing! I am so grateful you go to so much work to show me wonderful things that I want to see done, but am not quite committed to putting in the effort to make myself (especially since I don’t have 14 pans!). Another masterpiece, Bakerella. (And I made the Oreo truffles tonight and they are possibly one of the best indulgences I’ve ever had.)
this cake is so impressive looking and so mouth-watering! thank you for posting it!
I’m going to try to make a sugar-free low carb version of this.
That is one pretty cake!
OH.MY.GOODNESS!
How I’d love to come steal a piece :)
Wow, I’ve never heard of a 14 layer cake before, it looks awesome, but I’m totally intimidated by it :)
Love your site! You are simply amazing!
This looks just like my Granny’s (rest her soul) chocolate layer cake. She was born, raised, and lived her entire life in southeast Alabama. I always thought having a many layered cake was normal until I read your post! She also made a many layered peanut butter cake that was to die for! :) Great job and thank you for taking me back to my childhood.
it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! you are simply amazing.
This is crazy! 14 layers…you have great patience…oh wise one! XXL cake, bravo! I don’t think I can make this.
oh wow that looks absolutely divine and full of love! awesome job!