In a 2004 survey by Time Magazine, it was discovered that chocolate cake was America's favorite. Who doesn’t love chocolate cake? This comfort food has been a favorite of many people for thousands of years. What is it about this cake that we love so very much? German Chocolate cake, Better-Than-Sex cake, mint chocolate cake, double fudge cake… the options of delicious chocolate cake never end.
Why is it just the mouth-watering thought of chocolate cake makes us want to go get a piece? This delectable temptation is a great snack or dessert choice for many reasons. If you want to understand why, you need to know more about chocolate cake. Allow us now to explore the history of chocolate cake.
What is Chocolate Cake?
Cake is made from combinations of different ingredients- refined flour, shortening, sweetening, eggs, milk and flavoring. Typically, it will also have icing on the top which is also made from different ingredients. Chocolate cake may also have chocolate icing on the top and there are different types of chocolate cake such as German chocolate cake. There are five basic types of cake, based on the type of ingredients and leavening used and chocolate flavor can be added to any of these.
You can even find healthy chocolate cake recipes for those health nuts out there. From double chocolate cake, to fudge to strawberry or cherry stuffed chocolate; there are thousands of chocolate cake types to be found. So just how did this chocolate cake come to be such a popular favorite of people from all over the world?
History of Cake
Cake of all kinds has a rich history. Cake itself is many centuries old. Long ago, people make cakes from scratch experimenting with the different ingredients and flavoring to create the best possible tasting cake. With this, came the invention of chocolate cake and since then, people have been perfecting the way you make chocolate cake.
Cake was discovered shortly after the discovery of flour and it wasn't long after that when bakers learned you could add flavoring, such as chocolate. Some cake recipes are more bread-like and others are richer and sweeter and more like the cake we know today. Chocolate cake was once a delight only created by the baker in town but now virtually anyone can make a chocolate cake of their very own.
Cake was very similar to bread and in the early days, the two words were interchangeable. Cakes of the past were called "plakous" by the Greeks, which come from the word for "flat." These cakes were usually combinations of nuts and honey. They also had a cake called "satura," which was a flat heavy cake.
Romans and later the Germans loved chocolate cake as well and found many great ways to create it and perfect the recipes associated with this great cake. As the years went by, the methods of creating cakes would change and by the 18th century, bakers were using eggs instead of yeast for their chocolate cakes. Cakes were seen as a symbol of good will and well being, particularly in the Eastern United States. Each region had their own "favorites" when it came to chocolate cake and by the 119th century, baking ingredients became more affordable for everyday people.
Chocolate Cake as an Aphrodisiac and More
There are so many uses for chocolate cake and so many reasons why it is a favorite. Chocolate cake has even been believed to be an aphrodisiac. The chocolate in the cake releases endorphins that help get people "in the mood". So you can see that chocolate cake really can make you feel good! It is a classic comfort food, often eaten when people want to feel better or when someone is depressed. It is also used in celebration such as at a birthday party or a baby shower and also at weddings and other celebrations. It is even made for funerals. There are so many great uses for chocolate cake; it's hard to go wrong with this choice.
Make Great Chocolate Cake Better
Over the many years that people have been enjoying chocolate cake, they have also discovered some great ways to make your typical chocolate cake even better. New utensils and instant cake mixes have been created to make it easier for people to get the great chocolate cake they want right from home. There are many ways to make the chocolate cake that you love even better. Here are some tips for you:
- Enjoy it with someone you care about. Nothing beats sharing your great chocolate cake with a friend or family member. Invite a friend over for a slice of chocolate cake, take it to a party or bake one to give to a new neighbor. Sharing your chocolate cake is always a great idea.
- Try new recipes. There are thousands of variations and recipes of chocolate cake out there. The Internet is a great place to look for some of these many great recipes. You can try new ones or add variations to the recipes you already enjoy. This can be a great way to try a new take on the chocolate cake that you love.
- Bake your cake with someone special. Make your favorite chocolate cake recipe with your child, a friend or a loved one. Taking the time to spend together in the kitchen whipping up this delicious cake will make it all the more special and delicious when you get to eat it.
These are just a few of many great ideas. Try putting your heart into the next chocolate cake that you bake and you will notice it's even better than before!
