Tis’ the season to be jolly! Yes, Diwali may be over but the revelries still continue. Thanks to the cake mixing parties that have caught cities in a frenzy.
If you have recently been to a restaurant and have been intoxicated by a heady whiff of rum and raisins – then there’s a fair chance that the restaurant has just hosted a cake mixing party.
This age-old tradition is the latest to hit the party block this season and is not only getting families together but also party revellers.
The cake mixing ceremony dates back to the 17th century in Europe, when it marked the arrival of the harvest season. During this time, lots of fruits and nuts were harvested and used in the making of a traditional plum cake.
Cake mixing starts a few months before the winter festivities and is believed to usher in good tidings and happiness.
Traditional Christmas plum cake is moist, delicately spiced and loaded with juicy dry fruits and nuts. Thus, it is important to get your cake 'drunk' so that it gets a rich spicy aroma of the wine and nuts.
Chef Abdul Kalam who is a Jr. Sous Chef at Courtyard by Marriott Pune, Chakan, adds,
While a host of nuts like sultanas, raisins, walnuts, dates are used, the primary choices for alcohol are brandy, rum and red wine.
While the cake mixing tradition gets families together and they eagerly look forward to that lingering taste of rum in their Christmas cake, a lot of fun is involved in the process of mixing and eating.
Now, what is Christmas without parties, really?
The tradition of cake mixing has today translated into a fun, social event.
From restaurants to hotels to clubs, this fun event is being hosted by most. Says food blogger Vaibhav Karajgaokar who recently attended a cake mixing event:
So if you still haven’t soaked those fruits and nuts, its time to call your friends and get mixing!
(A freelance food and fashion blogger, Pranjali Bhonde Pethe aims at getting people and their favourite food and style closer through her blog moipalate. Email her at pranjali.bhonde@gmail.com and follow her on @moipalate.)
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