When you think of a birthday party, the first thing that comes to mind is probably cake. This ubiquitous dessert has become an integral part of birthday festivities, but what makes it so special?
While there are many variations on the theme, most modern cakes 주문제작케이크 are based on one specific flavor—vanilla! Find out more about the history of this iconic treat.
Origins
The origin of the modern birthday cake is a bit of a mystery, but it’s widely credited to Germany. One notable case happened in 1746, when Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf hosted a party for his child’s birthday and had the cake decorated with candles that corresponded to his son’s age.
Other early traditions like making wishes while blowing out the candles might stem from Ancient Greece. The Greek goddess Artemis was the goddess of the moon, so cakes shaped like her were adorned with lit candles that represented moonlight. They were meant as offerings to her, and it was believed that the smoke carried prayers up to her.
Throughout the centuries, different cultures created celebratory cakes for special occasions, but it wasn’t until the 1400s that a cake similar to today’s took shape in Germany. The cakes were often layered with frosting and decorations, and they were made using granulated and confectioner’s sugars. The tradition came to the US with German immigrants in the 1850s as sugar became more affordable and new baking machines helped make cakes faster.
Flavors
From towering layer cakes to one-bowl wonders, there are many ways to celebrate with cake. But no matter the size or format, these easy recipes have one thing in common: birthday cake flavor.
The birthday cake flavor craze started with Milk Bar in 2008. Founded by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Christina Tosi, the shop’s popular dessert features layers of rainbow-flecked vanilla cake, buttercream frosting, and lots and lots of sprinkles. This flavor has become an iconic part of American dessert culture, evoking Proustian memories for at-home bakers and appearing in everything from pancakes to protein bars.
For a grown-up treat, try a chocolate version of this classic with dark cocoa and rich vanilla buttercream frosting. The result is a decadent, rich cake that will have everyone singing happy birthday to you.
Decorations
Aside from being delicious, birthday cake holds a lot of meaning in the way we celebrate our own birthdays and those of others. For example, the ritual of blowing out the candles signifies hope for another year of life and sharing a slice with loved ones reinforces social bonds.
It’s no wonder, then, that the cake has become such a cultural symbol.
Whether adorned with a cute message, an edible topper or a stunning design, we love birthday cakes for their evocative and nostalgic qualities. One of the best ways to experience this nostalgia is with a traditional yellow cake with sprinkles—the ubiquity of which might stem from our collective longing for childhood.
Thankfully, today we can enjoy a wide variety of cake flavors and designs, from Victoria sponge to chocolate to red velvet. The options are endless, but no matter what your favorite, don’t forget the frosting. Shop Wilton’s full selection of baking decorations to enhance your next celebratory creation.
Cutting
Achieving the perfect birthday cake can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. Mixing, cooling, frosting, and decorating can take hours or even days. And once it’s done, the last thing you want is for someone to ruin your hard work by cutting into it the wrong way.
Thankfully, Australian baker Katherine Sabbath is here to save the day. In a 2017 Instagram post, she shared her clever cake-cutting hack with the internet.
To get the perfect slice, Sabbath suggests measuring two inches in from the edge of the cake and scoring a circle. Then cut one-inch slices from this circle until all the outer layers are served.
To make the process even more seamless, run your knife under hot water and dry it between each cut. That way, there’s less chance of frosting or crumbs sticking to the knife.