Humax

The form of food that is present in practically all happy and joyful occasions are cakes. Cakes are a part of birthday parties, weddings anniversaries and are a part of the dessert circle as well. There is always a social ceremony associated when a wedding cake is cut in most of the cultures. For instance, a famous marriage ritual in Ancient Rome got originated by the sharing and cutting of a cake. The name of the ritual is Confarreatio. One of the most famous cakes is a type of sponge cake which is made by the Jewish, sometimes along with the matzo meal.

The name given to this cake is Passover plava. Cakes are usually sweet. They are either baked; fluffy cakes or they are creamy. Normally most of the cakes have flour as one of the major ingredient which may be of different kind for different cakes. Other important ingredient is the binding agent, which keeps the flour together and prevents the cake from breaking. Some of the binding agents used are eggs, starch, vegans. Cakes are also a combination of some liquids like water, fruit juice or milk, fats, flavoring agents and leavening agent. Butter, fruit puree or margarine are some of the kinds of fats that canbe added in the cake. Flavoring agents vary according to the kind of cake you are heading to prepare. Baking powder or yeast are some forms of the leavening agents which are used.

Some cakes rise or expand because of the presence of air bubbles present in the dough. Many cakes rely on the above mentioned mechanism as they lack most of the ingredients. Cakes are decorated beautifully depending on the occasion it is being served at. Mostly cakes are frosted with marzipan or buttercream. Some cakes have their finishing done with fruits which are crytallised. The most common being cherries and strawberries. But the fruits vary according to the type of cake being made.

Cakes are being made since ages. Many people even today use their grandmother’s cake recipes. There are numerous recipies of cakes, some of which are new and some of which are very old. Now making a cake is not a difficult and complicated procedure. Cake recipies have become so easy and simple that anyone can make a cake in no time. But there was a time when cake making used to take a very long time and also required the involvement of a lot of labor, especially at the step of whisking egg foams. Now a days the baking equipment have also become so simplified that even a small kid can make a cake in parents guidance.

Cakes are cut not only at weddings or birthdays but festivals are also special occasions when cakes are cut and shared with your loved ones. Specific cakes are associated with different and particular festivals. For instance, at Easter simnel cake or the babka cakes are cut. During this time these are the most commonly cut cakes. During Christmas stollen is one of the favourites.