According to food historians, early Egyptians were first skilled bakers, but would not have even have called it cake, though Roman and Greek history records to have made the first cake. But now, we have come a long way from Egyptians or medieval European cakes. The word cake was coined by Britain in the 13th century, and derived from the Old Norse word, kaka.
The first cakes – were more similar to the bread of ours. When the Romans added egg, butter and sweetened it with honey in the dough and some started adding nuts and dried fruit to bake the cakes. Yeast was the prime raising agent used. It started to the frequent part of banquets then, and by the 14th century, Britain made cakes for special occasions.
The round-shaped shape symbolises
The shape of the cake was round and flat, which was shaped and molded by hand into a ball, and the dough naturally relaxed into a circular shape when cooked. Cake hoops were used in the 17th century. The cake hoops were made of wood or tin to get the neat round shape of the cake. The alternative theory of round shaped cake is the kind gesture for their gods and spirits in Ancient times by some the civilizations. The round cake symbolises the cyclical nature of life, the sun, and the moon. That is the reason why we serve cakes on special occasions such as birthdays to symbolize the cycle of life.
Using the advances in technology and access to various ingredients the Europeans baked the cake and topped it with icing. The first icing was the boiled mixture of sugar, egg white, and flavourings. Cakes stilled were baked with dried fruits such as currants and citrons as well.
By the 19th century, the cake became more popular. It was considered as a luxury to treat someone with cake during celebrations. But, extra refined white flour and baking powder were used and not the yeast. The buttercream frostings replaced the use of boiled icings. And with the advancement of the temperature-controlled ovens, the bakes started baking better ones. Industrial Revolution made ingredients more readily available and cheaper. More people started baking the cakes and sold them at the store.
Some History on Birthday cakes
It was a tradition to celebrate the births of their gods in Ancient Greece. The round cake was baked in honor for the goddess Artemis and symbolised the moon that was lit with candles as the glow of the moon.
German children began celebrating their birthdays which was called Kinder fest was the tradition that started in the 13th century. Birthday cakes were also lit with candles which stood for the light of life – with one candle for each year and a subsequent additional candle for continued years. Candles were burned the entire day and replaced with the new ones when the flame died. Candles were blown by the child and make a secret wish before eating the cake. And the belief was that the smoke from the candle carries the wish to heaven and fulfills it to come true.
The development of baking is as much to do with technology as it is taste. Try the taste of best cakes at our shop – Creams Desserts, the coffee, and desserts shop in Manchester.
Creams Desserts is one of the best professional cake makers in Manchester where you can find freshly baked and beautifully presented cakes.
