Dewey's Moravian Sugar Cake

In Old Salem ,NC is Dewey's Bakery. Their sugar cake is world famous. Each Christmas I ship this wonderful treat to friends all over the US. Never met anyone who didn't adore it. One of these friends calls it her "Christmas Crack" This is the original Dewey's recipe.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 4 cakes

Ingredients

• 1  egg
• 1⁄4 cup shortening
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3  teaspoons powdered milk
• 2  teaspoons mashed potatoes
• 1 1⁄2 cups bread flour
• 1⁄2 cup cake flour
• 3⁄4 cup water
• 4 (1/4ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Step 1. Prepare mashed potatoes. Peel one medium potato, boil until soft. Drain and mash. (Set to the side.for use in the dough).
2. Step 2. Prepare the dough. Combine the egg, shortening, salt, milk, potatoes, and sugar in the bowl of a mixer, and mix with the paddle (or whisk attachment if using hand mixer). Mix for about 4 minutes to blend all ingredients. If you are using a standing mixer that has a dough hook attachment, change over to the dough hook and add the bread our and then the cake our. If you do not have a dough hook, just continue with your hand mixer. Mix the yeast with the water and add to the bowl with the other ingredients, and mix until combined.
3. At this point, if you are using a dough hook continue mixing on medium speed for about 7 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If you do not have a dough hook, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
4. Step 3. Cover and let rise about 1 -1/2 hours until dough has doubled in size.
5. Step 4. Grease with shortening a 12 x 18 or 1/2 sheet cake pan with 2-inch sides. Punch dough down and roll out to approximately 12 x 18 rectangle shape on a at surface. Poke holes in the dough with either a docker or a fork, and then t the dough into the bottom of a pan. Fit dough tightly to the sides of the pan, but do not push the dough up the sides of the pan.
6. Step 5. Let the dough rest while you combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon in a pan on stove top. Bring it to a boil. Remove from heat. Poke small indentations with your fingers into the dough, making sure not to poke holes all the way through to the pan. Pour the warm butter sugar mixture over the top, spreading gently with a small spatula to ensure an even distribution. Let the dough rise again until doubled in height (approx 30-40 minutes).
7. Step 6. Bake in preheated 365 degree oven for 15-17 minutes. Sugar Cake should be lightly browned on the bottom. Note: Check after approx 10 minutes to make sure there is not a air bubble in the dough. If there is a bubble, simply burst the bubble and continue baking Cut into squares and serve warm.
8. Total time is approximately 4 hours to produce.