Oatcakes – frequently made by peasants
Many English expressions refer to cake so it is not surprising to learn that people enjoyed eating cake back in medieval times. They developed a variety of good recipes in fact and these were generally handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Few were written down due to the percentage of illiteracy at the time. Medieval cakes did exist but they were much plainer than what we are accustomed to eating today. This was mainly because of the lack of sugar and so the results of what they baked were quite bland and basic. Nevertheless, cake could be quite tasty and offer a pleasant contrast the staple medieval diet of daily pottage and bread.
Types Of Cake Making
There was a surprising variety of recipes for cake in 12th century England. Here are some that were baked by both the poor and in the kitchens of rich nobles:
Small oatcakes (mainly made and eaten by the poor) – these small biscuit type cakes were quite bland in taste and sometimes herbs and, if available, strong spices such as mace and cloves were added to make them more flavoursome. It may not sound much to us but a little extra spice made for a welcome and tasty cake.
Here is a simple recipe for oatcakes
Ginger
Bryndons – these were small cakes served in a rich sauce of fruit, nuts and wine.
Cakes made with seeds. In recent years there has been a growing culinary trend to add more seeds into baking – eg. poppy seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds but it was our medieval forebears that started the trend!
Waffle type cakes made with cheese. Yes they even had waffles in medieval times.
Gingerbread – this was a popular cake with the recipe using honey, breadcrumbs, ground ginger and cloves.
Here is a delicious recipe you can try at home for making medieval style gingerbread.
Amongst the most common ingredients in medieval cake baking were honey, fruit, nuts, spices and cheese. These are all of course ingredients that we still love to see in our cake baking today. Nice to see that some things haven’t really changed.
FAQs
Amongst the most common ingredients in medieval cake baking were honey, fruit, nuts, spices and cheese. These are all of course ingredients that we still love to see in our cake baking today. Nice to see that some things haven't really changed.
What desserts did they eat in medieval times? ›
Indeed, the custard is known to be one of the first desserts ever eaten in the middle ages. The next few reported desserts include apple pies in 1381 and gingerbread in the 1400s. Up until the 17th century, desserts were meshed together with savory dishes and were used as nothing more than palate cleansers.
How did they bake cakes in medieval times? ›
Ancient breads and cakes were made by hand. They were typically fashioned into round balls and baked on hearthstones, griddles, or in low, shallow pans. These products naturally relaxed into rounded shapes. By the 17th century, cake hoops (fashioned from metal or wood) were placed on flat pans to effect the shape.
What was a favorite dessert during the Middle Ages for peasants? ›
English sweets included many types of cakes, custards, and fritters such as funnel cake. They used strawberries, apples, figs, raisins, currants and almonds. They also made cheese-based sweets including cheesecake.
What was the most popular main meal in medieval times? ›
The findings demonstrated that stews (or pottages) of meat (beef and mutton) and vegetables such as cabbage and leek, were the mainstay of the medieval peasant diet. The research also showed that dairy products, likely the 'green cheeses' known to be eaten by the peasantry, also played an important role in their diet.
What are 3 medieval foods? ›
Food & Drink in the Medieval Village
Everyday food for the poor in the Middle Ages consisted of cabbage, beans, eggs, oats and brown bread. Sometimes, as a specialty, they would have cheese, bacon or poultry. All classes commonly drank ale or beer. Milk was also available, but usually reserved for younger people.
What did the rich people eat in the medieval times? ›
Cheese, fruits, and vegetables were important supplements for the lower orders while meat was more expensive and generally more prestigious. Game, a form of meat acquired from hunting, was common only on the nobility's tables. The most prevalent butcher's meats were pork, chicken, and other poultry.
What did medieval bakers use to bake? ›
The baking was done by placing the dough under an upturned pot placed on the 'down-hearth' – this was the flat stone in the centre of the floor of their one room hut on which the fire was built. The embers would keep the stone hot for some time so it was ideal for baking in this way.
What did medieval bakers bake? ›
Maslin was the bread that most people ate which was (most popularly) mixed with both wheat and rye flours. Rye flour could be used as a standalone as well which produced a darker loaf. These types of breads were most popular among the lower class.
What was the first cake made of? ›
First Cake FAQ
However, the ancient Egyptians are thought to have created the first cake. Egyptians often made honey-sweetened dessert breads, which were likely the earliest version of cakes.
It is believed that the king cake tradition originated in France and was brought to New Orleans in 1870. The French version of this local delicacy is made of an almond-filled puff pastry that gives off a flaky texture. It also features a decorative pattern and is sometimes topped with a paper crown.
