When I first read this recipe I thought it said “apple cakes” but looking again I see it says “apie cakes.” I don’t really know what exactly an apie cake is, but I did find another recipe online called apie cakes and that site has it categorized as a breakfast and a dessert item. Hmmm. This recipe was in the same packet as our Farmer’s Record was, so I assume it came from the same household. Also, the word “teaspoon” is spelled out rather than abbreviated.
Apie Cakes (Ira Boyer)
4 cups flour
2 cups light brown sugar
1/2 lb margarine
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup water
Bake 30 min at 350F
Hmmm. There’s no honey in it, otherwise I’d think it came from “Apis” (bees). Maybe it originally came flavored with honey?
Living near the Amish, we had access to apie cakes…they are a fond childhood memory. We dunked them in milk and later when I was “allowed” to drink coffee — it got dunked in there as well. I have not had this in more than 40 years… Thank you for sharing this recipe, I am going to try to make it…yum…
I was searching on Google for an apie cake recipe, and this is the only place I’ve been able to find it so far. Funny that the poster isn’t familiar with them herself. Growing up in Pennsylvania Dutch country, apie cakes were one of my favorite things my grandmom used to make for me. (Second only to Shoe-fly pie!) I never realized that they were a PA Dutch thing until just now trying to find this on line. Andi’s post seems to confirm that. It’s a simple cake, so great if you’re not into overly sweet desserts. They can be a little on the dry side, so as a kid I used to smear butter on it! haha Not sure if I would do that now. I reckon Andi’s style of dipping in milk is probably more traditional.
Todd I’m glad you were able to find the recipe and I hope it turns out the way you remember. You are right I am not familiar with them but I do look forward to trying them at some point. There are so many recipes I want to try! :-)
Many thanks to my grandaughter Olivia for sharing this with me. I remember growing up in Eastern Penna, my birthplace, and fond memories of the aroma from my mother baking apie cakes. It was a family tradition to eat and enjoy apie cakes. Several bakery’s in the small town made apie cakes and sold them in small corner grocery stores. I still have my mother’s original recipe which is very similar to the above recipe. My grown grandchilren still ask me when I’m going to make Apie’s again. It is and always will be the coffee and milk dunking pastry in my life. I know you will enjoy them.
Bob thank you for your great memories of apie cakes! A good friend of mine tried them and she loved them, as did her 2 year old son. It looks like I will be trying them as well!
I just love apie cake! Having grown up in Pennsylvania, we had them all the time. Now living in San Antonio, Tx, apie cake is a culinary alien. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.
Fond memories of apie cakes growing up in Pottstown, PA! My grandmother used to make these cakes and how wonderfully delicious they were dunked in milk, coffee or just as is. Many of the small local grocery stores near Pottstown used to carry these wonderful cakes but as time went by, they closed and apie cakes are nearly impossible to find. Living now in the Philadelphia area, nobody has no clue what an apie cake is, and I would love to enjoy this memory of my childhood again. Will try your recipe with one question, what type of pan to you bake the cake in … 8 inch or 9 inch cake pan and does it make more than one pan? Thanks!!
Hi Judy – I have not made these yet. A friend did and I will have to ask if she remembers what size pan. I think I’d probably see what the amount of “batter” looks like and wing it, lol.