There are stories of birthday cake origins from all over the world. The Ancient Egyptians take the credit as being one of the first to celebrate birthdays. When Pharaohs were crowned, they became gods and the Egyptians celebrated their “birth” as a god. The Ancient Greeks elaborated on the tradition by adding a birthday cake. They baked round, moon shaped cakes and decorated them with candles as an offering to Artemis, the goddess of the moon. They added candles to the birthday cake and hoped that the smoke from the candles would carry their wishes and prayers to the Gods in the skies.

By the 13th Century, Germans would celebrate children’s birthdays in particular, with a cake. The birthday cake would have candles to signify each year of the child’s life, and one extra candle to hope for another full and happy year.

The industrial revolution pushed the birthday cake more towards what we know and love today. Ingredients became more readily available and affordable, and cooking utensils and technologies improved. Birthday cakes today range from the simple to the extravagant, often providing the centrepiece for a birthday celebration.

Tempting Tastes

A simple sponge recipe is the preferred choice for most birthday cake bases with chocolate cake coming out on top as the favourite flavour for most requests. Chocolate birthday cake is a popular choice with every generation and there are many options from white to dark chocolate and plenty of flavour combinations that work well with chocolate.

When planning a birthday cake there are so many options for the sponge, the filling, icing and often most importantly the decoration. Butter-cream, fondant, royal icing, ganache, marzipan. One tier or two? Square, round, shaped? Choosing a specific design, style and taste for a birthday cake can be quite overwhelming.

Call in the Professionals

Anna Baker is an experienced birthday cake maker from the Cotswolds, with an impressive portfolio of birthday and celebration cakes in all shapes and sizes. Anna can advise on flavour combinations, style and any aspect of birthday cake design to ensure that the cake takes centre stage for any important occasion.

If you are looking for a birthday cake maker, Anna Baker Cakes uses fresh, local ingredients and creates delicious, high quality birthday cakes to order that can be hand delivered within a twenty mile radius of Cirencester, or further by special arrangement.

Get in touch with Anna Baker Cakes today to discuss and order your birthday cake!