Queen Elizabeth cake facts for kids
The Queen Elizabeth cake is a yummy dessert. It's a type of cake that has a special topping made with shredded coconut. This cake is named after Elizabeth II, who was a Queen. Some people think it was first made in 1953 for her special crowning ceremony, called a coronation. Others believe it was created earlier, in 1937, for the crowning of King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth.
What is Queen Elizabeth Cake?
This delicious cake is made with common baking ingredients. These include sugar, flour, dates, eggs, and butter. It's topped with a sweet frosting that has shredded coconut mixed in.
How it's Made
The cake gets its dark color from chopped dates. Sometimes, people add chopped walnuts or other nuts on top. The coconut topping is often browned by broiling or grilling it. The frosting itself usually has a caramel flavor.
Cake Features
Compared to many other cakes, the Queen Elizabeth cake is known for being lower in fat. It also has a very moist texture, which means it's not dry. This cake is quite popular in Canada. You might find it served with tea. It's also a common sight at farmers' markets and bake sales. Some pastry shops in Canada sell it too.
History of the Cake
There are a couple of ideas about when the Queen Elizabeth cake first appeared. One story says it was created for the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. At that time, people in Great Britain still had limits on how much food they could buy. So, a cake that didn't need many ingredients was a good idea.
Another idea is that the cake was invented even earlier. Some believe it was made for the 1937 coronation of King George VI. He was Elizabeth II's father. His wife, Queen Elizabeth (who later became known as the Queen Mother), was also crowned then.
A recipe for the Queen Elizabeth cake was printed in the Coronation Cook Book in 1953. This cookbook was made to celebrate Elizabeth II becoming Queen.
