4 c. sifted flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
3 eggs
1 c. buttermilk
Apple butter/or 5 c. applesauce
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Sift flour, soda, baking powder, and salt together. Cream shortening; add sugar gradually, blending well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in molasses. Add flour and buttermilk, alternately beating until smooth. Pour batter in six (8 inch) cake pans lined with wax paper. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes. When layers are done, stack, spreading apple butter between each layer. If applesauce is used, combine it with the spices and spread between layers. This recipe has been handed down from generation to generation.