Twelfth Cake (Twelfth Cake)

Name: Twelfth Cake (Twelfth Cake)
Yield: 12
Ingredients: Flour (500 g / 1 lb 2 oz) — 4 cups; Butter, softened — 225 g (1 cup); Brown sugar — 200 g (1 cup); Eggs — 4; Mixed dried fruit — 300 g (2 cups); Mixed spice — 1 tsp; Brandy or milk — 120 ml (1/2 cup); Baking powder — 2 tsp; Dried bean and 1 dried pea, wrapped, for hiding — 1; Royal icing, for decoration — 250 g (2 cups)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Servings

Ingredients

Flour (500 g / 1 lb 2 oz) — 4 cups
Butter, softened — 225 g (1 cup)
Brown sugar — 200 g (1 cup)
Eggs — 4
Mixed dried fruit — 300 g (2 cups)
Mixed spice — 1 tsp
Brandy or milk — 120 ml (1/2 cup)
Baking powder — 2 tsp
Dried bean and 1 dried pea, wrapped, for hiding — 1
Royal icing, for decoration — 250 g (2 cups)

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F) and grease a round cake tin.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time.
Fold in the flour, baking powder and mixed spice.
Stir in the dried fruit and brandy or milk.
Tuck the wrapped bean and pea into the batter.
Pour into the prepared tin.
Bake for 1.5–2 hours until a skewer comes out clean, covering loosely with foil if it browns too quickly.
Let cool completely, then decorate elaborately with royal icing, traditionally including festive figures or motifs.
Serve with whoever finds the bean named 'King' and whoever finds the pea named 'Queen' of the evening.

Introduction: A richly decorated fruitcake marking Twelfth Night, the elaborate close of the Victorian Christmas season, traditionally containing a hidden bean and pea.

Cultural Background: Twelfth Cake was a highlight of Victorian Christmas season entertaining, its rich fruitcake elaborately decorated with icing and figures, the tradition of hidden tokens naming a ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ of the evening’s festivities a cherished, playful custom.

Tips: Let the cake cool completely before icing, as warm cake will cause the icing to slide or melt. Wrap the hidden bean and pea securely so they can be found safely without being swallowed.

Variations: Decorate elaborately according to Victorian fashion, with piped patterns, figures or festive scenes. Some households used only a bean, with the finder simply named the evening’s leader.

Storage: Store wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, as the rich fruitcake keeps well.

Reheating: Not applicable — served at room temperature.

Nutrition: Per serving (approx.): 380 kcal, 5 g protein, 14 g fat, 60 g carbohydrate.

FAQs:

Q: What is Twelfth Night?

A: The evening marking the end of the twelve days of Christmas, celebrated with particular festivity and games during the Victorian era before the tradition gradually declined in favour of other New Year customs.

Q: What roles did the bean and pea finder play?

A: They were traditionally named ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ of the evening’s festivities, leading games and merriment for the rest of the celebration.