It’s finally happening! After a long wait filled with uncertainty, the excitement of a wedding is in the air. Embracing this special occasion, the groom has decided to create a wedding cake from 1769, a cake that showcases culinary practices from a bygone era while celebrating his impending nuptials. The endeavor not only serves as a delightful precursor to the wedding festivities but also gives a glimpse into the history of wedding cakes and traditions.
Among the various elements that complete a wedding, the cake, often a focal point, takes center stage. The groom’s choice to create a traditional "bride cake" harks back to Elizabeth Raffald's 1769 cookbook The Experienced English Housekeeper which features an elaborate recipe that is surprisingly lengthy, requiring an engaging read for anyone interested in historical culinary practices.
The recipe begins with some monumental quantities: four pounds of fine flour, four pounds of fresh butter, and a host of other rich ingredients such as currants, almonds, and brandy—enough to serve about one hundred guests. However, to better fit modern cooking needs, the groom plans to reduce these proportions significantly, adjusting the recipe to suit a more manageable cake size while still staying true to the original's essence.
Modernizing the Recipe
The adapted recipe for this delicious endeavor includes manageable quantities: 4 cups of flour, 2 cups of butter, and 6 large eggs among other ingredients. The use of recent kitchen tools, like a springform pan, and modern baking methods ensure that the cake can be crafted while enjoying the intricacies of a recipe rooted in history.
The preparation entails a colorful process that includes sifting flour and spices, creaming butter and sugar until fluffy, and carefully folding egg whites to maintain a light texture. Layering candied fruit in between portions of the batter also pays homage to the traditional method while creating a rich sensory experience, combining textures and flavors.
The Intricacies of Icing
One of the unique aspects of this cake lies in its icing. The traditional method employs both an almond icing and a sugar icing. The first involves a mixture of ground almonds and egg whites, yielding a paste which is rolled out and draped over the cake. Following this, a sugar icing is whipped up meticulously, illustrating the finesse of historical baking, which was often marked by its complexity.
Delving deeper into the cake's backstory reveals the evolution of wedding cakes throughout the centuries, from ancient rituals involving barley cakes to the more recognizable formats we see today. As the groom humorously recounts, there were even instances of pies filled with unexpected—some might say alarming—ingredients.
A Flavorful Legacy
Assembling a cake steeped in history unearths not only a culinary tradition but a connection to past matrimonial customs. An exploration of wedding cakes surfaces tales of extravagant celebrations, with legendary mentions such as Queen Victoria’s whopping 300-pound fruitcake that featured a royal icing now synonymous with festive baking.
With every layer assembled and infused with fruits like currants and zesty candied peel, the groom bakes a cake that embodies not just a culinary challenge but a symbol of love, unity, and heritage.
The Final Taste Test
Once complete, the cake is revealed, its appearance sparking curiosity as to the flavors encased within. After a taste test, it turns out more moist than anticipated, suggesting a balance of flavors that—while reminiscent of holiday spices—does not overshadow the cake's identity as a wedding cake.
The groom assesses the cake's uniqueness and notes an exciting departure from the conventional cake one might expect at a wedding. While it won't be the cake served at the upcoming celebration, it remains a charming tribute to the wedding culture of the past.
With the wedding day fast approaching and a modern cake journey documented, the groom encourages followers to join in the adventure on Instagram. As he prepares for this milestone before exchanging vows, the cake serves as a delicious intersection of history and personal celebration.
As the countdown to the wedding continues, this historic cake becomes a cherished part of a joyous occasion, reminding all involved that every celebration, big or small, is laced with stories worth sharing.
Part 1/7:
Celebrating a Wedding with an 18th Century Cake
It’s finally happening! After a long wait filled with uncertainty, the excitement of a wedding is in the air. Embracing this special occasion, the groom has decided to create a wedding cake from 1769, a cake that showcases culinary practices from a bygone era while celebrating his impending nuptials. The endeavor not only serves as a delightful precursor to the wedding festivities but also gives a glimpse into the history of wedding cakes and traditions.
A Buttercream Dream
Part 2/7:
Among the various elements that complete a wedding, the cake, often a focal point, takes center stage. The groom’s choice to create a traditional "bride cake" harks back to Elizabeth Raffald's 1769 cookbook The Experienced English Housekeeper which features an elaborate recipe that is surprisingly lengthy, requiring an engaging read for anyone interested in historical culinary practices.
Part 3/7:
The recipe begins with some monumental quantities: four pounds of fine flour, four pounds of fresh butter, and a host of other rich ingredients such as currants, almonds, and brandy—enough to serve about one hundred guests. However, to better fit modern cooking needs, the groom plans to reduce these proportions significantly, adjusting the recipe to suit a more manageable cake size while still staying true to the original's essence.
Modernizing the Recipe
The adapted recipe for this delicious endeavor includes manageable quantities: 4 cups of flour, 2 cups of butter, and 6 large eggs among other ingredients. The use of recent kitchen tools, like a springform pan, and modern baking methods ensure that the cake can be crafted while enjoying the intricacies of a recipe rooted in history.
Part 4/7:
The preparation entails a colorful process that includes sifting flour and spices, creaming butter and sugar until fluffy, and carefully folding egg whites to maintain a light texture. Layering candied fruit in between portions of the batter also pays homage to the traditional method while creating a rich sensory experience, combining textures and flavors.
The Intricacies of Icing
One of the unique aspects of this cake lies in its icing. The traditional method employs both an almond icing and a sugar icing. The first involves a mixture of ground almonds and egg whites, yielding a paste which is rolled out and draped over the cake. Following this, a sugar icing is whipped up meticulously, illustrating the finesse of historical baking, which was often marked by its complexity.
Part 5/7:
Delving deeper into the cake's backstory reveals the evolution of wedding cakes throughout the centuries, from ancient rituals involving barley cakes to the more recognizable formats we see today. As the groom humorously recounts, there were even instances of pies filled with unexpected—some might say alarming—ingredients.
A Flavorful Legacy
Assembling a cake steeped in history unearths not only a culinary tradition but a connection to past matrimonial customs. An exploration of wedding cakes surfaces tales of extravagant celebrations, with legendary mentions such as Queen Victoria’s whopping 300-pound fruitcake that featured a royal icing now synonymous with festive baking.
Part 6/7:
With every layer assembled and infused with fruits like currants and zesty candied peel, the groom bakes a cake that embodies not just a culinary challenge but a symbol of love, unity, and heritage.
The Final Taste Test
Once complete, the cake is revealed, its appearance sparking curiosity as to the flavors encased within. After a taste test, it turns out more moist than anticipated, suggesting a balance of flavors that—while reminiscent of holiday spices—does not overshadow the cake's identity as a wedding cake.
The groom assesses the cake's uniqueness and notes an exciting departure from the conventional cake one might expect at a wedding. While it won't be the cake served at the upcoming celebration, it remains a charming tribute to the wedding culture of the past.
Part 7/7:
Join the Celebration
With the wedding day fast approaching and a modern cake journey documented, the groom encourages followers to join in the adventure on Instagram. As he prepares for this milestone before exchanging vows, the cake serves as a delicious intersection of history and personal celebration.
As the countdown to the wedding continues, this historic cake becomes a cherished part of a joyous occasion, reminding all involved that every celebration, big or small, is laced with stories worth sharing.