Kentucky Jam Cake 

Kentucky Jam Cake Recipe, is an Old Fashioned Cake Recipe, that makes an incredible and delicious homemade cake for you.


There are two different frosting recipes that are listed for the one cake and I think you, your family and friends will enjoy both of them.

The first frosting recipe has an amazing Caramel Frosting that is rich in flavor and very popular.

The second frosting recipe makes another delicious frosting... Cream Cheese Frosting, that is also very popular.

However, the rich Caramel Frosting Recipe accompanying this post is the original frosting recipe that made this cake so incredibly famous in so many old cook books and in the kitchens. 

Kentucky Jam Cake Recipe 

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
  
  

• 2 cup granulated white sugar
  
  

• 5 large eggs
  
  

• 3 cups sifted, all-purpose flour
  
  

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
  

• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  
  

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  
  
• 1 cup whole buttermilk
  
  

• 1 cup jam (your choice)
  
  
• 1 cup whole, black or yellow raisins or chopped dates 
  
  
• 2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, allspice, and ground ginger. 

Set aside.

Cream tother butter and sugar in a stand mixing bowl, together until it is light and fluffy.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Fold in your choice of jams.

According to my research, Blackberry, Strawberry and Figs seemed to have been the most favorite fruits that were used in making this Historical Kentucky Jam Cake Recipe. 

Then fold in the raisins or chopped dates in addition to the chopped pecans.

Pour the cake batter evenly into three 9" round cake pans, that have been lined with parchment or waxed paper, greased with butter and sprinkled lightly with flour.

Smooth the tops of the batter.

Arrange your cake layers on the middle rack of your oven.

Bake the cake layers in a pre-heated oven 325F. for 35-40 minutes or until the layers test done when probed with a toothpick or cake probe.
 

When the cakes test done, remove them from the oven and place the pans on a cooling rack for a few minutes until they start to loosen from the sides of the pan.

Run a knife around the edges to make sure they are all loosened. 

Invert your cake layers on the cooling rack until they are cool.

Caramel Frosting Recipe

• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 stick) butter, room temperature
  
  
• 2 cups light brown sugar
  
  
• 3 tablespoons white Karo Syrup
  
  
• 3-5 tablespoons whole milk
  
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  
• 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix together the brown sugar, butter, whole milk and salt in a saucepan.

Cook until the sugar has melted. 


Turn the burner on medium heat and let the mixture cook without stirring, 3 to 5 minutes or  until the syrup has turned to an amber color.


Remove the frosting from the heat and place it in a bowl.

Let it cool, slightly.

Then, slowly beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a smooth spreading consistency. 

The frosting should not be runny.

Frost your cooled Kentucky Jam Cake layers immediately on all sides, between all layers and on the top of the cake.

Let the cake set for a few minutes before cutting and serving to your family and guest.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 (8oz.) packs cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
  
  

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  
• 1 pound powdered sugar, sifted 

In a stand mixer on medium speed, beat together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract until well mixed.

Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl until the ingredients are well incorporated.

Frost the cake between the layers, on the sides and on top, immediately.

If you do not plan to serve this cake wright a way, place it in the refrigerator until you do, likewise with any leftovers.

However, you can remove your cake a few minutes before you serve it to bring it back to room temperature for softer frosting and heightened taste.

Enjoy!

History Of Jam Cake Recipe

This Old Fashioned Jam Cake Recipe is thought to have originated in America because of the name, Kentucy Jam Cake it was given in Kentucky.

However, this delicious cake did not originate in Kentucky.

The recipe was brought to America by German immigrant settlers who first went to Pennsylvania and then later they went to Kentucky.

A few of those Settlers went to Tennessee and Ohio.


The cook book that I obtained my first Jam Cake Recipe from, contained a note in the book by Mrs. Elizabeth Armstrong, that she had acquired the Kentucky Jam Cake Recipe through a swap column of The Woman's Magazine in 1877.

Related Recipes

Black Forest Cake Recipe

Burnt Sugar Cake Recipe

Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe

Return to Old Fashioned Cake Recipes

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