Molasses Layer Cake Recipe

Molasses Layer Cake Recipe

¾ cup shortening

2/3 cup sugar

3 large eggs

¾ cup molasses

2 ¾ cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

¾ teaspoon salt

1 cup milk


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9” round cake pans. Cream together the shortening and the sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each one. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; add alternately with the milk to the creamed mixture. Pour into the prepared cake pans and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pans and then turn out of the pans onto cooling racks to cool completely. Frost with Maple Nut Frosting below.

Maple Nut Frosting

6 tablespoons butter

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

5 tablespoons cream

Dash of salt

¾ teaspoon maple flavoring

2/3 cup chopped walnuts


Cream the butter; gradually add the sugar to the butter, creaming constantly. Add enough cream to make the mixture the right consistency for spreading on the cake. Add the salt and the flavoring; mix well. Spread between and on top of the layers, sprinkling with the walnuts. Makes enough to fill and frost two 9” cake layers on the top and between layers.

Source: “Brer Rabbit’s New Orleans Molasses Recipes”, Penick & Ford, 1948

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