Smith Island Cake Pie

Instructions

1. 1

   Make and Blind Bake the Crust

   Combine flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add ice water until dough forms. Chill 1 hour, roll out, fit into a 9-inch deep dish pie plate. Blind bake at 375°F for 20 minutes with pie weights, then 10 minutes without. Cool completely.

2. 2

   Prepare Cake Batter

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.

3. 3

   Bake Thin Cake Layers

   Divide batter among 4-5 greased and floured 9-inch round pans, spreading very thin (about 1/4 inch). Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden and center springs back. Cool in pans 5 minutes, then turn out onto racks.

4. 4

   Trim Cake Layers

   Once cooled, use the pie dish as a guide to trim each cake layer to fit inside the baked pie crust. You'll want 4-5 thin layers that stack neatly.

5. 5

   Make the Fudge Frosting

   Combine evaporated milk and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

6. 6

   Finish the Frosting

   Remove from heat. Add chocolate and butter, stirring until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt. Let cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until spreadable but still pourable.

7. 7

   Assemble the Pie

   Spread a thin layer of fudge frosting in the bottom of the cooled pie crust. Place the first cake layer on top. Spread frosting, add another layer. Repeat until all layers are stacked.

8. 8

   Frost the Top

   Pour remaining frosting over the top layer, allowing it to drip down the sides and fill any gaps between the cake and crust. Use an offset spatula to smooth the top.

9. 9

   Chill and Set

   Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the fudge to set and the layers to meld together for easier slicing.

10. 10

    Serve

    Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water. Each slice should reveal the beautiful layered cross-section. Enjoy this Maryland treasure!