Piece of Cake

Fun Facts About Cake

• The original reddish-brown tint in red velvet cake came from the natural reaction between cocoa powder, buttermilk, and vinegar. Artificial red dye was introduced later for marketing purposes.
• The heaviest cake ever made weighed nearly 130,000 lbs. It was made in Fort Payne, Alabama for the city's centenial in 1989. The longest cake was made in Las Vegas for the city's 100th birthday in 2020. It was over 17,000 feet long.
• The world's most expensive cake ever sold was a diamond-studded creation made by a British designer for a wealthy family. It cost $75 million and took over 1,100 hours to complete.
• Cakes, especially Welsh cakes, were traditionally cooked on a hot stone called a "bakestone" before ovens became common.
• During the Victorian era, unmarried English women would sleep with a slice of wedding cake under their pillow to dream of their future husband.
• The tradition of putting candles on birthday cakes has roots in ancient Greece, where round, honey-sweetened cakes were offered to the goddess of the moon. The lit candles represented moonlight and the smoke was meant to carry prayers.
• Carrot cake surged in popularity during World War II because of sugar rationing. Carrots provide natural sweetness and moisture.
• The phrase "piece of cake" originated from the 19th century cakewalks, a dance competition where the winner received a cake. It's been used since at least the 1930s to describe something that is very easy or straightforward.