“Qu’ils mangent de la brioche!” or, “Let them eat cake!” Perhaps the most famous quote about cake ever, these were the words of a great French princess, often likely Marie Antoinette herself, upon being informed that the peasants were so poor that they had no bread to eat during one of the famines that occurred in France during the reign of her husband, Louis XVI. Needless to say, the ignorance and arrogance of that disdainful statement did not win either Marie Antoinette or her husband any respect or sympathy from their people, who then proceeded to behead both of them during the French Revolution.
However, none of this changes the fact that cake is arguably one of the most delicious things humans have ever made to eat, and its numerous varieties continue to astound every cake fan. For that reason, it is obvious that cake is more than deserving of its own little holiday.
The History of Cake Day
The history of cake dates back to ancient times, and the first cakes are thought to have been made in Ancient Greece and Egypt. These first cakes were rather heavy and flat and were eaten at the end of a meal with nuts and honey. Nowadays, this type of cake has evolved into baklava, a traditional Greek dessert and a must-try for any fan of sweet stickiness. In later years the ancient Romans also created their own version of this sweet treat, which was rather creamy and rich. However, like in many cultures around the world, this cake was often reserved for the gods and was offered to them at their temples as a sign of respect, love, and reverence. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the English word cake back to the 13th century. During the Great Depression, it was necessary to provide easy, relatively cheap food to millions of Americans who were living in poverty, and the boxed cake mix was born. The idea turned out to be pure gold, as millions of housewives all over the United States took advantage of this way to make their lives easier.
How to Celebrate Cake Day
Of course, the best way to celebrate Cake Day is by eating cake with family and friends. You can buy a number of different types of cakes to celebrate the event, or have fun making your own cakes mark the occasion. There are many different kinds of cake to choose from. Yeast cakes are one of the oldest types and are pretty similar to bread in texture, due to the yeast content. There are many different types of cheesecake, from the rich and creamy New York style cheesecakes baked in a graham cracker crust and drowned in cherry syrup, to the healthier varieties made from cottage cheese and filled with orange and lemon peel and raisins that are lower in calories and fat and higher in protein. Sponge cakes rely on the air trapped inside them during baking for their light texture, and are famously paired with rich butter or cream cheese-based icings for balance; however, these icings tend to be a bit complicated to make and are easily ruined, so if you are a novice baker, perhaps go for something a bit simpler. So pick a type of cake that suits you and you family’s or friends’ needs the best and start baking! The experience will be both fun and educational.
