Dessert

Dolly Parton’s Apple Stack Pie

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This isn’t just any apple dessert—it’s a towering masterpiece that’ll have your kitchen smelling like pure Southern comfort and your guests wondering how you managed to create something so impressive.

Picture layers upon layers of tender, molasses-kissed pastry stacked high with spiced apple filling that’s been cooked down to jammy perfection, creating a dessert that’s part cake, part pie, and entirely magical.

The genius of this recipe lies in its unique construction—instead of one thick crust, you’re creating six individual thin layers that get assembled into an architectural wonder that would make any baker proud.

Each bite delivers the perfect balance of sweet, spiced apples nestled between layers of buttery pastry that’s been enriched with molasses for that distinctive deep flavor that screams old-fashioned goodness.

What makes this dessert truly special is the patience factor—it actually gets better after sitting for 2-3 days, allowing all those flavors to meld together into something that tastes like it came straight from a Tennessee mountain kitchen.

Get ready to become the person everyone begs for this recipe, because once word gets out that you can make Dolly’s famous apple stack pie, you’ll be the star of every potluck and family gathering.

Ingredients

For the Crust

6 cups self-rising flour, plus more for dusting and pans
1 /2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pans
4 large eggs, beaten to blend
1 cup granulated sugar
2 /3 cup milk
1 /2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling & Assembly

1 pound apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 /2 cup water
1 /2 cup granulated sugar
1 /4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 /8 teaspoon ground allspice

Instructions

Prepare the Crust

1 Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). In a medium bowl, sift flour and baking soda together using a fine-mesh sieve to ensure no lumps remain. Add the cut butter pieces and mix well with a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger butter pieces remaining.
2 In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat eggs, granulated sugar, milk, molasses, cinnamon, and vanilla until the mixture becomes fluffy and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. The mixture should be well-combined and slightly lighter in color. Add the flour mixture and continue to beat until the mixture resembles bread dough—it should pull away from the sides of the bowl and form a cohesive mass.
3 Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured board or clean kitchen cloth and knead with your hands for 2-3 minutes to fully combine all ingredients. The dough should be smooth and pliable. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces using a kitchen scale for accuracy, then roll out each piece into thin rounds like pie crust, approximately 1/8-inch thick.

Bake the Layers

4 Grease and flour 6 round cake pans or pie pans (9-inch works best), tapping out excess flour. Place one dough round into each prepared pan, gently pressing to fit and smoothing the surface with your hands to eliminate air bubbles.
5 Bake the crusts until golden brown and set, 10-15 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden and the centers should spring back when lightly touched. Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool completely before removing from pans, about 30 minutes.

Make the Filling and Assemble

6 In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook the sliced apples in water, stirring occasionally, until softened and tender, about 8-10 minutes. The apples should be fork-tender but not mushy. Strain the apples through a fine-mesh strainer, then return them to the saucepan.
7 Add granulated sugar, cinnamon, and allspice to the strained apples. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is thickened to a jam-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. The filling should coat the back of a spoon.
8 Spread the apple filling evenly on one side of each cooled crust layer, leaving a small border around the edges. Stack the crusts on top of each other, creating either 2 three-layer cakes or 1 six-layer cake depending on your preference and serving needs.
9 Wrap the assembled cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. This cake is best after it sits for 2-3 days, allowing the flavors to meld and the layers to soften slightly, creating the perfect texture balance.

Recommended Equipment and Kitchen Tools

Recommended Tools (for best results)

Electric mixer – A stand mixer makes the dough preparation much easier and ensures proper mixing of the molasses and eggs for optimal texture
Kitchen scale – For dividing the dough into perfectly equal portions, ensuring even layers in your final stack
Fine-mesh sieve – Essential for properly sifting the flour and straining the cooked apples for the smoothest filling
Wire cooling racks – Allow proper air circulation around the baked layers for even cooling

Helpful Upgrades

Silicone spatula – Perfect for scraping down bowl sides when mixing the dough and for spreading the apple filling evenly
Pastry cutter – Makes incorporating the butter into the flour mixture much easier than using your hands
Rolling pin with thickness guides – Ensures all six layers are rolled to the same thickness for uniform baking
Parchment paper – Line pans for easier removal of delicate layers

Nice-to-Have Options

Bench scraper – Helpful for dividing the dough into equal portions and transferring rolled layers to pans
Apple corer and slicer – Speeds up apple preparation significantly when working with a full pound of apples
Instant-read thermometer – While not essential, helps ensure your filling reaches the proper consistency

Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications

Gluten-Free Adaptation

Replace the 6 cups self-rising flour with 5 cups gluten-free flour blend plus 3 teaspoons baking powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t contain it
Expect a slightly more delicate texture that may require extra gentle handling
Increase baking time by 2-3 minutes as gluten-free layers may need longer to set

Dairy-Free Modifications

Substitute the 1 cup butter with 1 cup vegan butter or 3/4 cup coconut oil (solid, not melted)
Replace the 2/3 cup milk with unsweetened almond milk or oat milk
Coconut oil will add a subtle coconut flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples and spices

Flavor Variations

Pear Stack Pie – Replace apples with 1 pound ripe pears, add 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger to the filling
Mixed Berry Version – Use 1 pound mixed berries, increase sugar in filling to 3/4 cup, add 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Spiced Apple Upgrade – Add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves to both crust and filling
Maple Variation – Replace 1/4 cup of the molasses with pure maple syrup for a different flavor profile

Presentation Options

Individual Stack Pies – Use muffin tins to create personal-sized versions with 2-3 mini layers each
Glazed Version – Top with a simple powdered sugar glaze made with 1 cup powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons milk

Nutritional Information and Health Benefits

Key Nutritional Highlights

This hearty dessert provides approximately 657 calories per serving when divided among 10-12 servings. The substantial calorie content comes primarily from the flour and butter in the multiple crust layers, with natural sugars from both the apples and added sweeteners. Each serving contains significant carbohydrates from the flour base, moderate amounts of fat from the butter, and protein from the eggs. The molasses adds iron and calcium to the nutritional profile, while the multiple apple layers contribute fiber and natural fruit sugars.

Health Benefits of Main Ingredients

The apples provide dietary fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants like quercetin, which may help reduce inflammation and support heart health. The molasses is a nutritional powerhouse, offering iron, calcium, potassium, and B vitamins that refined sugars lack. Cinnamon contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar levels and provides antioxidant benefits. The eggs contribute high-quality protein and essential amino acids, while also providing choline for brain health.

Dietary Considerations

This recipe contains gluten (wheat flour), dairy (butter and milk), and eggs, making it unsuitable for those with celiac disease, lactose intolerance, or egg allergies without modifications. The high sugar and carbohydrate content makes it a special occasion treat rather than an everyday dessert. The substantial portion size means this dessert is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Smart Swaps and Ingredient Substitutions

Common Substitutions:

Self-rising flour → All-purpose flour plus 9 teaspoons baking powder and 3 teaspoons salt
Molasses → Honey or maple syrup (reduce other liquids by 2 tablespoons)
Granulated sugar → Brown sugar for deeper flavor (use same amount)
Whole milk → Buttermilk for tangier flavor (add 1/4 teaspoon extra baking soda)

Budget-Friendly Swaps:

Pure vanilla extract → Imitation vanilla (use same amount, though flavor will be less complex)
Unsalted butter → Salted butter (reduce added salt in recipe by half)
Fresh apples → Frozen apple slices (thaw and drain thoroughly before cooking)

Pantry Emergency Substitutions:

Eggs → 1/4 cup applesauce per egg (will make texture slightly more dense)
Milk → Water plus 1 tablespoon melted butter per cup of milk
Baking soda → Additional baking powder (use 2 teaspoons baking powder for every 1/2 teaspoon baking soda)

Pro Tips for Substitutions:

When substituting liquid sweeteners for molasses, reduce total liquid by 2-3 tablespoons
Store unused self-rising flour in an airtight container for up to 6 months
If using salted butter, taste the dough before adding any additional salt

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

Sugar Substitutions:

Replace the 1 cup granulated sugar in the crust with 1/2 cup erythritol or 3/4 cup stevia baking blend
Substitute the 1/2 cup sugar in the filling with 1/4 cup monk fruit sweetener or 6-8 packets stevia
Molasses replacement: Use 1/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup plus 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses for flavor
Expect slightly different texture with sugar substitutes—the crust may be less tender

Flour & Carb Modifications:

Replace 3 cups of the flour with almond flour to reduce carbs by approximately 40%
Add 1 extra egg when using almond flour to maintain structure
Consider making 2 three-layer cakes instead of 1 six-layer cake for better portion control
Carb reduction: Approximately 25-30 grams fewer carbs per serving with these modifications

Portion & Timing Tips:

Cut into 14-16 smaller servings instead of 10-12 for better blood sugar management
Estimated 45-50 grams carbs per modified serving versus original 65-70 grams
Pair with protein-rich foods like Greek yogurt or nuts to slow sugar absorption
Best enjoyed as an occasional treat, ideally after a balanced meal

Total Carb Reduction: These modifications can reduce carbs by approximately 35-40% while maintaining the essential character of this beloved dessert.

Perfect Pairing Suggestions

Beverage Pairings

This rich, spiced dessert pairs beautifully with strong black coffee or chai tea, as the robust flavors complement the molasses and cinnamon notes. For wine lovers, a late-harvest Riesling or Moscato provides sweetness that won’t compete with the dessert, while a bourbon or whiskey offers a sophisticated adult pairing that echoes the Southern heritage. Spiced apple cider creates a harmonious apple-forward combination that’s perfect for fall gatherings.

Side Dish Recommendations

Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream to balance the dense, sweet layers with cool creaminess. Sharp cheddar cheese provides a traditional Southern pairing that cuts through the sweetness beautifully. A dollop of Greek yogurt mixed with honey offers a lighter, protein-rich accompaniment that complements the spiced apples while adding nutritional value.

Complete Meal Ideas

This dessert shines as the grand finale to a Southern comfort meal featuring fried chicken, biscuits, and green beans. It’s equally at home following a hearty autumn dinner of roast pork, sweet potato casserole, and cornbread. For holiday entertaining, serve after a traditional feast—the make-ahead nature means you can prepare it days before your gathering.

Occasion Suggestions

Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert tables, church potlucks, family reunions, and fall celebrations. The impressive height and unique presentation make it ideal for special occasions where you want to showcase traditional Southern baking skills. Its 3-day improvement period makes it excellent for planned entertaining and holiday meal prep.

Pro Tips and Troubleshooting

Professional Success Tips

The key to perfect layers is consistent thickness—use a rolling pin with thickness guides or roll between dowels to ensure even baking. Weigh your dough portions rather than eyeballing them; each piece should be approximately 8-9 ounces for uniform layers. When mixing the dough, stop as soon as it comes together—overmixing develops too much gluten and creates tough layers. Cool layers completely before assembly to prevent the filling from melting and creating soggy bottoms.

Common Mistakes and Solutions

If your dough is too sticky, add flour gradually rather than dumping it all at once. Cracked layers during baking indicate the oven temperature is too high—reduce by 25°F and extend baking time. Soggy middle layers result from assembling while layers are still warm or from filling that’s too wet—ensure apples are properly strained and layers are completely cool.

Storage and Make-Ahead Strategies

This dessert improves with age—wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for the full 2-3 days before serving for optimal flavor and texture. Freeze individual portions wrapped in plastic then foil for up to 3 months. The assembled pie keeps refrigerated for up to 1 week. Don’t freeze the whole assembled pie—the layers may separate upon thawing.

Scaling and Presentation

To double the recipe, use two ovens or bake in batches, keeping finished layers covered with damp towels. For elegant presentation, dust with powdered sugar just before serving and garnish with thin apple slices or cinnamon sticks. Cut with a sharp serrated knife using a sawing motion to preserve the layer structure.

This magnificent dessert represents the best of Southern baking tradition—a labor of love that rewards patience with layers of incredible flavor and a presentation that never fails to impress. The beauty of Dolly Parton’s Apple Stack Pie lies not just in its towering appearance, but in the way it brings people together around the table, sharing stories and creating memories over slices of this extraordinary treat. Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, this recipe delivers the kind of homemade goodness that makes every occasion feel special.