Dutch carnival cake facts for kids
The Dutch Carnival Cake (called Kermiskoek in Dutch) is a special sweet treat from the Netherlands. It's a bit like a gingerbread cake. This old cake recipe uses interesting ingredients. These include fresh rye flour and freshly harvested honey from the Betuwe region. The cake also has sweet rock candy in it.
This Carnival Cake has a very old tradition. For a while, people almost forgot about it. But then, the Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage added the Carnival Cake to its list. This organization is a bit like UNESCO, which helps protect important cultural things. Because of this, the tradition of the Dutch Carnival Cake is now safe! You can even buy this special cake all year round now.
The Story of Carnival Cake
The Carnival Cake has a long history. Back in 1871, a writer named Jan ter Gouw wrote about it. He included it in his book called Folk Amusement. A famous song came from this book:
“Jan, just buy me a Cake! Pretty girl, I've got no money”
Long ago, the Dutch Carnival Cake was only made in October. This was for the autumn carnival in a town called Tiel. It used to be a very special gift. It was even part of a wedding proposal!
A Sweet Proposal
Here's how the sweet proposal worked: A farmer’s son would buy a Carnival Cake for the girl he wanted to marry. If the girl liked him, she would give him a slice of the cake. She had to do this within eight or fourteen days after he gave it to her. If she shared the cake, it meant they would get engaged! But if she didn't offer him a slice, it meant she said no to his proposal.
Nowadays, giving a Carnival Cake is not a proposal anymore. Instead, it's a lovely way to show love and thanks. People give it to their partners, family, and friends. There is still a Dutch bakery that makes the Carnival Cake. This helps keep this sweet tradition alive for everyone to enjoy!
