We all love birthday cake but why does it represent our birthday?

I have just been reading a very interesting American blog post by Kaci Daugherty entitled “Food Cultures of Birthday Celebrations” in which she says that the custom:-

 

“Originated in Greece, the cake was baked round symbolizing a full moon. The candles used to top the cake were representative of the moons glow. The full moon represented new life just like a birthday.”

 

She then goes on to describe birthday cake customs in different countries, which is fascinating, please click here to read.

 

Her description for Great Britain is spot on:

 

“In Great Britain a person having a birthday will celebrate with a cake and candles just like the United States! They also have chocolate biscuits, Jelly and Ice cream (which is Gelatin and Ice Cream covered in tiny balls of colored sugar) and Squash to drink, which is orange or lemon flavored Kool-aid made from syrup instead of powder! Talk about something unusual!”

 

I love the fact that to her this is unusual, which made me think that it would be wonderful to hear from you, how are birthdays celebrated in your country?

 

Take a look at her research, agree or disagree with it or add – the reference to fortune telling cakes in England, is not one that we at Lindy’s Cakes have heard of before….Have you?

 

 

My daughter recently turned sweet sixteen and this is the cake she created for herself - of course it had to have 16 candles!

 

Tags: birthday cakes, birthday celebrations