It’s the official cake of Maryland and it’s a beaut! The Smith Island cake is a multi-layered cake, which ranges between six to ten thin layers frosted in between. A well-made Smith Island cake has pencil thin layers that are executed flawlessly.
The original version of Smith Island cake has a chocolate buttercream frosting. During the 1800’s when this dessert was sent out with the watermen, it was frosted with fudge to increase the longevity of the dessert. Now there are many different variations of the Smith Island cake like red velvet, double chocolate, vanilla buttercream and many others.
Smith Island cake is named after Smith Island, Maryland, an island on the Chesapeake Bay that is only accessible by boat. If you don’t happen to have a boat on hand, never fear, there is a a ferry that departs from Crisfield, Maryland. Although the cake is made in other places in Maryland, the most popular place to get the Smith Island cake is on Smith Island at the Smith Island Baking Company.
If you are feeling like your chances of getting a slice of Smith Island cake is highly improbable, don’t count yourself out yet. The renowned bakery delivers nationwide. If you would like to make a Smith Island cake, see the ingredients and recipe below.
Cake Ingredients
2 cups sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, chunked
5 eggs
3 cups unbleached flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
1 cup evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup water
View the frosting ingredients and the full Smith Island Cake recipe on the Maryland Office of Tourism website.
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