Baking an 1800s Wedding Cake |1828| Historical Recipe

I'm getting married on May 11th, 1828. That's this Saturday! Allow me to practice baking the cake, which hails from a recipe published in 1828. It's delicious! This one is a winner and you should try to make it at home. Currants, lemon, brandy, citron and almonds make this cake bright and merry.

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[EarlyAmerican]

This cake is so delicious that it's now been adopted as our "everything cake". The wedding, birthdays, tea parties and just because cake. This is a small, reduced version of the cake that we're bringing to the wedding this weekend. I divided the original 1828 recipe by 6 to get the size cake that you see here today. This Thursday, however, I'm meeting up with Ron's sister to bake a great cake + 2 sheet pan cakes. It's then getting iced on Friday. This means that our wedding cake will be even BIGGER than the original because of the extra 2 sheet cakes. It will have 65 eggs, a gallon of milk, 32 sticks of butter, 4 pounds of sugar & 13 pounds of currants.


Wedding or Christening Cake, Modern Domestic Cookery (1828). Recipe divided by 6

0.6 pounds of butter, softened
2 & 3/4 cup of flour
1 & 1/8 cups of sugar
1 pound of currants
2 medium sized lemon's worth of zest
1/4 cup of candied lemon peel
2.5 tablespoons of slivered almonds, or sliced almonds
2.5 tablespoons of candied citron
5 eggs, whisked well until frothy
1/3 cup of brandy
1/3 cup of milk
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
0.5 teaspoons of cloves

Cream together the butter, sugar and spices till smooth. Add to it the whisked eggs, brandy, milk, citron, almonds, candied lemon peel and lemon zest. Mix up well till then add your flour 1 cup at a time. Pour into a well greased baking pan (or divide up into 2 cake pans or muffin tins). Bake at 300 degrees. If baking it in one large pan as I did it will take 1.5-2 hours. If baking in 2 cake pans it will take approximately 40 minutes. When done allow it to rest in the baking pan for at least 20 minutes before removing.


*Wedding cakes used to be called bride's cakes (there were also groom's cakes!). This is one of the earlier mentions of a cake called an actual, "wedding cake."

[kerridillon]

0:35 Happy Almost Wedding Day! I'm flying into St. Louis tomorrow (Thursday) & can't wait for the big day!! I bought my colonial attire in Williamsburg, where I saw George Washington riding down the Duke of Gloucester street!

[mdeysenroth]

It looks delicious! Helpful hint: if you toss the fruit with a little flour before adding it to the batter, it will stay more evenly dispersed and won't sink to the bottom. I was thinking of you today, as I saw there was a tornado warning in St. Genevieve. I hope you are safe and any storms do not interfere with your wedding. Much love to you and Ron.

[loopslove]

I made a similar cake for my wedding. It was a king cake that was served from Epiphany to Mardi Gras. Have a beautiful wedding and many harmonious decades together.

[chrismcelligott]

The wedding is so close! Congratulations!

[christinawadsworth]

Your final days using this oven. Exciting! As you unite in marriage may you create a bond that is unbreakable, and may that bond bring you solace. serenity, and unwavering faith. Congratulations!

[ProtoPixie]

Have a wonderful wedding, Justine & Ron! Much love from Germany 💕

[cdunn]

Have a wonderful wedding weekend, wish I could be there!! ❤

[caroleleelocklear]

❤ fabulous cake!! The wedding is almost here!!!🎉🎉🎉

[imperfectpairing]

I am not big on “hidden treasures” in my cake but this looks really good. I would definitely make it if my husband was not on keto.
Cannot wait to see the wedding pics.
Good luck and congratulations. God bless and prayers over your new life together.

[WiseAilbhean]

I am so happy for you guys. And thank you bringing us along on this journey it’s was lovely to witness.
God Bless! 🙏🏽

[mindydacus-konv]

Congratulations Ron and Justine! And thank you for bringing simpler times to all of us. Basics of life and love that are so grounding. Happiness, good wishes to you both; enjoy this special time. Thank you for allowing us to share in it!❤❤

[KeriBerry]

Love your channells they bring me so much peace and joy.

[AllenMZim]

I can't believe how close we are to the big day! Like everybody else here, I'm so excited for you both! 😊 And this cake looks absolutely AMAZING! My goodness! 😋

[suzannederringer]

You look so happy - and your cake is beautiful! Happy Happy Wedding Day ❤❤

[stephaniekenneally]

What a gorgeous cake! May God bless you both immensely in your married life!

[prodigaleve]

Wishing you all the very best for your wedding. I hope that the weather will be kind. Gods blessings and every happiness for a long life together.
Greetings from England xxxx❤

[Lydarose]

Beautiful cake! Beautiful couple! Congratulations!🎉

[ad]

I wish you both joy on this blessed day.

[johnbolton]

I love your am old now but lived in a home that was built in 1781when i was a boy. Did my mile swim in the the James river as a BOY Scout in 69.