Smith Island Cake, the official state dessert of Maryland, comes from Somerset County. These cakes have been enjoyed by Marylanders for generations and have evolved from their original flavor and recipe. 

Smith Island in Somerset County, is located about 10 miles off Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is the state’s only inhabited island group in the Chesapeake Bay. Settled by the British in the 1600s, it’s home to three communities: Tylerton, Ewell, and Rhodes Point, with a total population of around 250 people.

The cake’s origins go back to the 1800s, when women would bake them for their husbands who were heading out for the fall oyster harvest. The cakes were sent as reminders of home—symbols of love, community, and hope for a safe return.

The most popular and “traditional” flavor of the Smith Island Cake is made with 8 layers of super thin yellow cake with a rich chocolate fudge in between each layer. While many flavor variations exist today, the original remains a favorite.

In 2008, Maryland legislature designated Smith Island Cake as the official state dessert. A year later, the Smith Island Baking Company began shipping these homemade cakes nationwide, turning a once-local tradition into a celebrated symbol of Maryland’s heritage.

Craving more about Maryland’s favorite dessert? Check out Smith Island Cakes for more details.

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