The History of Fruitcake
Tasting History with Max Miller・17 minutes read
Fruit cake was a popular treat during the American Civil War, known for its dense texture, requiring rum or brandy for moisture, with various ingredients like butter, molasses, sugar, and dried fruit. The rise and decline of fruitcake popularity over the centuries, from ancient civilizations to modern times, including its shipping through the mail and association with special occasions and historical figures like Queen Victoria.
Insights
- Fruit cake has a rich history dating back to ancient times, evolving from a simple bread-like product with added fruit to a more elaborate and festive treat enjoyed during special occasions like Christmas and weddings.
- The preservation methods of early fruit cakes, the shift from yeasted to modern versions, and the innovative shipping practices through the US Postal Service showcase the dynamic evolution of fruit cake consumption and production over centuries, reflecting changing tastes and cultural influences.
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Recent questions
What ingredients are typically found in fruit cake?
Butter, molasses, sugar, eggs, soda, salt, raisins, currants, citron
How is fruit cake traditionally prepared?
Mixing butter, sugar, molasses, eggs, flour-spice mixture, adding fruit, baking
What historical significance do fruit cakes hold?
Ancient origins, preserved with dried fruit, popularized in 18th century
How did fruit cakes become associated with Christmas?
Staple during Christmas, served as wedding cakes, popularized by Queen Victoria
How did the popularity of fruit cakes change over time?
Decline in 1950s due to chiffon and sponge cakes, comedic reputation by 1980s
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Summary
00:00
"History and Recipe of Fruit Cake"
- Fruit cake was a popular treat during the American Civil War, with a recipe from 'Godey's Lady's Book' including ingredients like butter, molasses, sugar, eggs, soda, salt, raisins, currants, and citron.
- Fruit cake is known for its dense and dry texture, often requiring rum or brandy to be added post-baking to maintain moisture.
- Trade coffee sponsors the video, offering a coffee delivery service with personalized coffee options for subscribers.
- The fruit cake recipe includes ingredients like butter, molasses, sugar, eggs, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, mace, ginger, allspice, coriander, cinnamon, raisins, currants, citron, and flour.
- Soaking the fruit in flour before adding it to the batter helps distribute it evenly throughout the cake, preventing it from sinking to the bottom.
- The batter is prepared by mixing butter, sugar, molasses, eggs, and a flour-spice mixture, then adding the fruit and baking it in greased loaf pans at 300°F for 2 hours.
- Historical fruit cake origins date back to ancient times, with fruit added to bread-like products in various civilizations.
- Early fruit cakes were preserved with dried fruit due to the high cost of sugar and spices, which became more accessible in the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Traditional fruit cakes were yeasted, using ale barm or other yeast types for leavening, leading to denser cakes compared to modern versions.
- Fruit cakes became a staple during Christmas and special occasions, even serving as wedding cakes in the 18th and 19th centuries, popularized by Queen Victoria's fruit cake with white royal icing.
12:49
Evolution of Fruitcake Shipping and Consumption
- In 1913, the US Postal Service introduced Parcel Post, leading to the popularity of shipping fruitcakes through the mail.
- Colin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas, was among the first to package fruitcakes for mail order, followed by Claxton Bakery in Claxton, Georgia.
- The rise of chiffon and sponge cakes in the 1950s led to a decline in the popularity of dense fruitcakes.
- During the Apollo 11 Mission, fruitcakes were brought to the moon but not consumed, with the recipe being printed in newspapers.
- Fruitcake popularity declined by the 1980s, with Johnny Carson contributing to its comedic reputation.
- A recipe from the American Civil War era suggests brushing brandy or rum on fruitcakes, allowing them to season for up to a year before consumption.
