The history of Christmas cakes started in ancient Rome. The first time, Romans celebrated the festival of Saturnalia with a sweet loaf of bread saturated with honey and nuts. Medieval Europe consumed plum porridge as a meal for the people who fasted before Christmas.
From the 16th to the 17th centuries, Christmas cake became a fruitcake. Nowadays, a heavy fruitcake comes in multiple shapes and sizes. The tradition of the festive cake follows the custom of mixing, baking, and sharing the common dessert.
This blog introduces the past and practices of using Christmas cakes on December 25th every year.
What is a Christmas cake?
Basically, a Christmas cake is a fruitcake that people consume at Christmas parties on December 25. This cake type carries the fragrance of alcohol for flavor. Moreover, it is prepared with locally grown raw food ingredients. Festive themes and cake-making styles mark the festive tradition of making and sharing cakes.
Explore our collection of Christmas cakes and get it online and enjoy with your loved ones.
Why Do People Eat Christmas Cake?
We eat Christmas cake, as it is an essential part of the festive tradition, which represents sharing, warmth, and gratitude during the holiday season. This fruit-rich cake carries the custom of winter fasting and feasting ahead in all parts of the world. Christmas cake traditions are not restricted to Britain. It goes beyond.
History of Christmas Cake
Medieval beginnings
The Christmas cake started its journey as a plum porridge in the medieval times. It was also called pottage. It was a mix of alcohol, meat, dehydrated fruits, and spices. Christian followers consumed the cake to get nourishment and warmth.
16th–18th centuries
Christians started using sugar in porridge to thicken the pudding. People also used eggs and breadcrumbs along with spirits to get a richer taste.
Ancient roots
This period was related to the Romans, who ate fruit-and-nut loaves. They used cakes for celebration and storage in winter.
Victorian transformation
By the 1800s, Christmas Day was a common phenomenon. The old and simple-looking cake was replaced by a decorated one. Consequently, Christmas cake became a festive showpiece.
Cultural attention
Charles Dickens’s novel narrates the story of the Christmas cake. The novel ‘A Christmas Carol’ describes the pudding as a festive cake. It unfolds how to turn an ordinary dish into a holiday showstopper.
British signature
Brandy-soaked modern fruitcake comes with a touch of royal frosting. This marzipan-covered cake refines beauty with a touch of tradition. Interestingly, families hid coins inside the cake for luck. Yorkshire dwellers also served it with Wensleydale cheese. This pattern gave a sweet-savory twist to the cake.
Global journey
During the times of the British Empire, people started sharing and sending cakes as a gift. They shared cakes with their neighbors and soldiers.
Enduring ritual
In modern times, Christmas cake is more than a mixture. This cake brings emotions, food ingredients, and happiness together.
Popular Christmas Cake Traditions in the World
Christmas is a global festival. Almost all countries celebrate it on a major or minor scale. Every country has individual patterns to celebrate it. Be it Europe or India, every country in the world prefers to use locally grown ingredients to make the cake.
From spirits to dry fruits, there are multiple things that make cake unique. Look at some countries and their popular Christmas cakes that have been a part and parcel of their tradition.
- Belgium: The bûche de Noël in place of fruitcake.
- Brazil: Bolo Rei bread with candied fruits.
- Canada: Fruitcake.
- Caribbean: Black fruitcake soaked in rum.
- Eastern Europe: Cozonac and kulich festive breads.
- France: A rolled sponge log cake.
- Germany: Stollen loaf with sugar coating, nuts, and fruits,
- India: Rum fruitcakes.
- Italy: Iconic Panettone and Pandoro cake.
- Japan: Strawberry shortcake.
- North America: Fruitcake.
- Philippines: Rum-filled fruitcake.
- Portugal: Crown-shaped sweet bread.
- Scotland: The Whisky Dundee.
- UK: Rum-rich fruitcake.
Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Cake History and Tradition:
Q.1 When did Christmas fruitcake originate?
Ans. Christmas fruitcake originated in ancient Rome. This recipe was an outcome of nuts and fruits with a barley mix. In addition, spices and honey added more perfection to the cake.
Q. 2. Is Christmas cake the same as fruitcake?
Ans. Yes. But to some extent. Many countries serve fruitcakes on Christmas. They may differ in names, but they serve the same purpose. Americans call it a fruitcake. On the other hand, Canadians term it a Christmas cake.
Q.3. Why is alcohol used in Christmas cakes?
Ans. For centuries, spirits have been used as a cake preservative. The smart use of rum or brandy makes Christmas cakes useful for long storage.
Q.4. What is the difference between panettone, stollen, and British Christmas cake?
All three cake types are popular in Europe. Look at the following explanation to better understand the cake types:
- Panettone is a Milanese sweet bread. It comes decorated with candied fruit. Moreover, it has a domed shape.
- Stollen is a loaf-like German fruitcake. Sugar dust makes it a favorite dessert.
- British Christmas cake is a dense fruitcake. You will find it overladen with marzipan and icing.
