Wednesday, May 5, 2021

TAD Cakes

 Greetings!
 
The theme is "Cake".
The history of cake dates back to the 13 century It is a derivation of 'kaka', an Old Norse word. Medieval European bakers often made fruitcakes and gingerbread. It wouldn't be until the 17th century that we get round cake with icing.

About cake The history of cake dates back to ancient times. The first cakes were very different from what we eat today. They were more bread-like and sweetened with honey. Nuts and dried fruits were often added. According to the food historians, the ancient Egyptians were the first culture to show evidence of advanced baking skills. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the English word cake back to the 13th century. It is a derivation of 'kaka', an Old Norse word. Medieval European bakers often made fruitcakes and gingerbread. These foods could last for many months.

According to the food historians, the precursors of modern cakes (round ones with icing) were first baked in Europe sometime in the mid-17th century. This is due to primarily to advances in technology (more reliable ovens, manufacture/availability of food molds) and ingredient availability (refined sugar). At that time cake hoops--round molds for shaping cakes that were placed on flat baking trays--were popular. They could be made of metal, wood or paper. Some were adjustable. Cake pans were sometimes used. The first icing were usually a boiled composition of the finest available sugar, egg whites and [sometimes] flavorings. This icing was poured on the cake. The cake was then returned to the oven for a while. When removed the icing cooled quickly to form a hard, glossy [ice-like] covering. Many cakes made at this time still contained dried fruits (raisins, currants, citrons).

It was not until the middle of the 19th century that cake as we know it today (made with extra refined white flour and baking powder instead of yeast) arrived on the scene. A brief history of baking powder. The Cassell's New Universal Cookery Book [London, 1894] contains a recipe for layer cake, American (p. 1031). Butter-cream frostings (using butter, cream, confectioners [powdered] sugar and flavorings) began replacing traditional boiled icings in first few decades 20th century. In France, Antonin Careme [1784-1833] is considered THE premier historic chef of the modern pastry/cake world. You will find references to him in French culinary history books.

Cake recipes, Fannie Farmer's Boston Cooking School Cook Book [1918]

If you are interested you can read more here 
 
 My contribution today is a home made lemon cake with home made whipped lemon, butter, sour cream frosting. Topped with lemon zest.

I baked these in  round spring form pans



 

 

 
 


You have now seen the cake in all angles. LOL
Can't wake to see what the rest of the artists have created.

Be Safe Out There And Still Wear A Mask
 
Nicole/DVArtist 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.
 beadwright.com

20 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Thanks for all the historical background about cakes! Your lemon cake looks SO delicious, I definitely want a piece!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

What an interesting great posting by Rain's theme and a delicious cake, oh I would also like to eat a piece of it. I wish you a good day, hug Elke

Valerie-Jael said...

Now you have me hankering after a slice of your lemon cake, looks wonderful! Valerie

craftytrog said...

Interesting facts about the history of cakes Nicole, and your lemon cake looks delicious!
Alison xx

Tom said...

...delicious!

Christine said...

Delicious! Thanks for this history we take cake for granted now.

Divers and Sundry said...

I love lemon cake, and yours does look delicious. So pretty!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Nicole,

Mmmm, yum! This not only sounds good but looks good! You need to share your recipe with us. :) Thanks for stopping by last month periodically for my A2Z contributions. I apologize for not making my usual return visits as I struggled to keep things together. I was not well prepared as you probably know. I am glad to see you're doing better since my last visit,though. Have a doodletastic weekend, my dear!

Gillena Cox said...

I have not baked a cake in a very long time I have instead been buying cake at the bakery. I used to though make awesome chocolate cakes which my friends loved and always wanted more.

Happy Thursday Nicole. Thanks for dropping by my blog today

Thank you for your appreciation Elke

much 💝 love

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I learned a lot from your history lesson on cakes, Nicole. I remember reading somewhere in British history that cakes were more like unleavened bread when they first came on the scene. I think your cake is wonderful. It is beautiful, too. I don't bake much, so I have never owned a springform cake pan, much less two.

Elderberry-Rob said...

what a very delicious cake - this week's blog hop has been fun :)

Luiz Gomes said...

Boa tarde Nicole, obrigado pelo carinho, Dia 15 de maio será o meu aniversário, quem sabe eu não receba de presente de aniversário o meu desenho?

Hot guys said...

Interesting read, Nicole! 🙂 Btw, for me... basically all cake is good cake! 👅

NatureFootstep said...

Your cake seem tasty :)
In Sweden "cake" is "tårta". We use the word "kaka" for what you mostly mean as cookie.
Glad you seem to be feeling better. :)
Take care!

Rita said...

Oh, that looks soooo good! Nothing like homemade from scratch!! :)

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Wow, you got right to it ... history and then baked your own cake. That is commitment :)
I guess I never thought about where cake (the word) and cake (the cake with frosting) came from. Now I feel fully informed and if we ever get to go out to eat with our friends again, I will have a topic of conversation that I am guessing nobody else will have. This was fun, Nicole and I would love to reach in and have a bite of your cake ... yummmm, it looks sooooo good.

Andrea @ From the Sol

carol l mckenna said...

Oh how delicious looking ~ Yummy ~ Xo

Living moment by moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Lowcarb team member said...

Great post for Rains theme.
The cake looks very delicious.

All the best Jan

Magic Love Crow said...

Thanks for the history! Very cool! I want a piece of lemon cake! Looks so good!!! Big Hugs!

Rain said...

Nicole, that cake looks amazing!!! I love how you decorated it!! :)