In Victorian times, cakes were a big deal. Manual blending, beating and sifting were too much work, so cakes were saved for special events such as children’s birthdays, couples’ anniversaries, church functions or for a young lady to impress her suitor, according to Pat Walton of Kline Creek Farm, a living-history farm in DuPage County.
Visit “Cakes for Celebrations” at the farm from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 14 to see cakes made using recipes and techniques from the 1890s.
Walton said children are often invited to help prepare the cakes, but–alas–no tasting is included in the program. Cake-baking presentations are about every half hour, and museum tours run every hour, she said.
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An 1890s trick for today’s bakers: “Beat egg whites and yolks separately,” Walton said. “It seems to make the cake lighter.”
The farm is on County Farm Road, half a mile south of North Avenue in Winfield. Call 630-876-5900.