Aanniversaries and any special occasions are incomplete without a delicious cake. These days several varieties of cakes are available in the market.
A wide collection of cakes of different shapes, flavours are available for your sweet-tooth, which can be ordered through any cake booking app.
But have you ever thought about how cake was first discovered? There is a long history behind the invention of cake. The cakes made are very different from the ones we eat today.
From birthdays to special occasions, surprise your loved ones with the unique and exotic flavor of durian cake, delivered straight to their doorstep for a memorable and delicious treat.
History
The ancient Egyptians were the first who exhibited baking skills. During that time, cakes were more like bread sweetened with honey. Greeks developed an early form of cheesecake, while Romans discovered the variety of fruitcakes with raisins, nuts and other fruits.
Modernization of Cakes
We can give credit to Europe for the invention of modern cakes. It used to be mostly round and topped with icing. The first icing was usually a mixture of sugar, some flavourings and egg whites. This was in the mid-17-century. In the 19th century, cakes were a popular thing among people. However, this delicacy was considered a luxury as all the ingredients like sugar; chocolate was very expensive during that time.
At that time, cakes were baked with baking powder and extra refined white flour instead of yeast. After some time, traditional boiled icing was replaced with buttercream icing. With the growing technology life of bakers became easy as it was very convenient to bake the cake in the microwave oven.
With the industrial revolution, ingredients were also easily available, making them cheaper and easy for people to buy them.
Varieties of Cake
Cakes are divided into different categories according to their mixing techniques and ingredients. Sponge cake, butter cake, chocolate cake, coffee cake, flourless cake, and layer cakes are some of the different categories of cakes.
Some people also compare cake with bread, but the difference between them is very easy to find as its precise classification has always been elusive.
Why do cakes used to be round in shape?
These days cakes are available in scores of shapes and sizes but in ancient times cakes used to be round. There is also an interesting theory about the round shape of cakes; it is said that god prefers round-shaped cakes.
In older times, people baked cake as a kind gesture to their gods. The round cake symbolizes the cyclic nature of life and the moon and the sun. This can also explain that cakes were cut on special occasions like birthdays to symbolize the cycle of life.
Cakes according to the occasion
With the evolution of cake from all these years, in today’s time so many cakes are available for different occasions like birthday, anniversary, bridal shower, baby shower, wedding, Halloween cakes etc. There is also a tradition of decorating cakes on the festive occasion of Christmas.
Shapes of Cakes
Cakes can be described according to their physical appearance. Cakes can be small for individual consumption. Big cakes can be served in pieces in any social gathering. Some of the common shapes are:
Bundt Cakes
Bundt cakes are baked in bundt pans which give it the shape of doughnut. This shape is inspired by traditional European Cake. These cakes are not associated with any single recipe. This cake looks very beautiful in appearance.
Swiss Rolls
A swiss roll, or jelly roll is a sponge cake filled with icing, jam or cream. In India, swiss rolls are also known as jam rolls. It appears to have been invented in the nineteenth century somewhere in central Europe.
Layer Cakes
A layer cake is a cake consisting of multiple stacked sheets of cake. It is held together by frosting or with some other filling like jam or preservatives. These cakes are mostly covered with icing, but sometimes these are left undecorated so layers can be visible.
Cake Balls
Cake balls are small balls of reconstituted cake crumbs coated with chocolate or frosting. These are made with crumbs of leftover or stale cake to avoid waste. Cake balls can be decorated with sprinkles, nuts, chocolate shaving or candy.
Cake Pops
Cake Pops are basically cake styled as a lollipop. Cake crumbs are mixed with frosting, chocolate or icing, formed into small balls, and attached with a stick. The popularity of cake pops increased between 2009-2011.
Cupcakes
Cupcakes are small cakes which serve one person. These are baked in aluminum cups or on thin paper. One can use their creativity to decorate cupcakes as they look super cute. Cupcakes can also be decorated on different themes.
Sheet cakes
Sheet cakes are also known as slab cakes. These are baked in a large rectangular pan which is about 2-3 inches deep. The sheet can be of any flavour, but the most common are vanilla and chocolate. Ingredients like nuts, chocolate chips, or coconut can be sprinkled over the top.
After reading the history, you must be craving for a nice cake. In older times it was not easy to get a cake, but now you can quickly eat anything anywhere in no time. If you want to eat cake in Agra, you just need to search for cake delivery in Noida; the cake will be delivered to your doorstep. Time has changed, and this internet has opened the door for new technology. People can order whatever they are craving in seconds.
