FAQs
Humble beginnings. Christmas cake began life in the Middle Ages - as plum porridge! Christmas Eve was a day of religious fasting, and this was a hearty meal afterwards, with a consistency more like that of a pottage or soup, made of boiled beef, fruit and spices, then thickened with bread and oats.
What's the difference between a fruit cake and a Christmas cake? ›
Christmas cakes are also commonly made with pudding while a fruit cake uses butter, however there are Christmas cake recipes that do contain butter. The traditional Scottish Christmas cake, also known as the Whisky Dundee, is very popular.
What is the traditional cake eaten at Christmas? ›
Christmas cake is a type of cake, often fruitcake, served at Christmas time in many countries.
What is the history of the rich cake? ›
A brief history on the Rich Cake: It is thought to be a derivative of the Western fruit cake brought to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese and Dutch who eventually colonized Sri Lanka. It is commonly served during Christmas time in Sri Lanka.
What does it mean to call a woman a Christmas cake? ›
The cakes go on discount once Dec. 25 rolls around — a fact that gave birth to an unfortunate bit of old Japanese slang: "Christmas cake" was used to refer to an unmarried woman who was over 25 and thus, considered past her prime.
What are some fun facts about Christmas cake? ›
Here are some fun facts about the history and origins of Christmas cakes in the UK.
- The earliest form of Christmas cake was a plum porridge that was eaten to break the fast on Christmas Eve. ...
- Later, other ingredients such as dried fruits, spices, honey and butter were added to make it richer and tastier.
Its origins go as far back as the Middle Ages, when dried fruits became more widely available. The cost of ingredients was so high that in the 17th and 18th-century fruitcakes were only made for special occasions, such as weddings and holidays, particularly in Victorian England.
Why is Christmas cake called plum cake? ›
Some believe that raisins were referred to as 'plums' in medieval England; since the recipe called for an abundance of them, the dish came to be known as 'plum pudding'. On the other hand, some think that the original mixture contained prunes (dried plums), which were eventually replaced by more exotic dried fruits.
Is plum pudding the same as fruitcake? ›
The term "plum cake" and "fruit cake" have become interchangeable. Since dried fruit is used as a sweetening agent and any dried fruit used to be described as "plums", many plum cakes and plum puddings do not contain the plum fruit now known by that name.
What is the best Christmas cake in the world? ›
1. Panettone, Italy. Originating from Milan, Italy, this cake has become one of the most popular Christmas cakes around Europe and in many parts of the world. The panettone is a dome-shaped spongecake with a sweet, yeasty taste.
We might like to pretend, based on its name, that fruitcake is a reasonably healthy sweet option, however this is not the case. Fruitcake tends to have high butter, sugar and syrup content, making it high in both fat and calorie content. The same goes for Panettone- the Italian bread that has become a holiday favorite.
What is a German fruitcake called? ›
German Fruitcake
Stollen: Flattened with a chewy crust, Stollen is often baked more like a traditional loaf of sourdough bread. Stollen also forgoes the usual candied cherries and pineapple in exchange for citrus zest, candied citrus peels, raisins, and almonds.
What is the oldest cake in history? ›
The world's oldest known cake, baked during the reign of Pepi II in Egypt between BCE 2251 and 2157. Alimentarium, Vevey, Switzerland. The Egyptians gave us the world's oldest known cake–and also the world's oldest Tupperware as it happens.
What is the most expensive cake in history? ›
The "Diamond Cake" by Debbie Wingham - Price: $75 million
An amalgamation of luxury and confectionary art, it's embedded with more than 4000 diamonds, including pink, yellow, and white ones, making it not just a cake but a jewelled masterpiece. It's no wonder it holds the crown for the most expensive cake in the world!
Why is cake called cake? ›
The term "cake" has a long history. The word itself is of Viking origin, from the Old Norse word "kaka". The ancient Greeks called cake πλακοῦς (plakous), which was derived from the word for "flat", πλακόεις (plakoeis). It was baked using flour mixed with eggs, milk, nuts, and honey.
History of Christmas Cakes - Recipes and IdeasEnglish Tea Storehttps://www.englishteastore.com ›
The Christmas cake is a very popular item around the holidays with variations of cakes with frosting, mixed spices, powdered sugar, orange zest, other fruits an...
The History of Christmas Cake and its place in the customs of Christmas. From Twelfth Cakes to Christmas Cakes.
Learn about the history of Christmas cake and how this traditional festive dessert has changed. Plus great modern fruitcake recipes to try!
Why Do We Serve Fruit Cake for Christmas? In the 1700s and 1800s, the ingredients required to make fruit cake were prohibitively expensive. Therefore, fruit cake was considered an indulgence served only during special occasions like weddings and holidays.
What is the story behind the Christmas log cake? ›
Who invented the first yule log cake? There are many stories that make the rounds but according to a article from My Persian Kitchen the inventor of the Yule log could be: The Parisian pastry chef Antoine Charadot from rue de Buci in Paris. In 1879 - created a rolled sponge cake filled with buttercream.
Is Christmas cake religious? ›
The Christmas cake started life as plum porridge, which was designed to line people's stomachs after a day of religious fasting. Soon after, fruits and a dash of honey were mixed with the plums and the good old Christmas cake was created.
Why is Christmas celebrated with plum cake? ›
The plum cake's history can be traced back to medieval England, where the weeks leading up to Christmas, called Advent, saw a period of self-denial, fasting and abstinence. This was supposed to prepare the body for the festive season of feasts and indulgences, and also to save food for the celebrations.
