
A historical dessert from Favorite tested recipes of the members of Humboldt Park Chapter O.E.S and their friends (1900). May substitute some rice flour for regular flour. Save egg whites for making frosting. For filling, boil sugar and water to thread stage.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
0 notes
Sign in to share your thoughts and connect with the community
Sign In to CommentLoading notes...
bake in layer or form
Filling for layer: Two cups brown sugar, one-half cup water; boil until threads, then add to beaten whites and beat; flavor
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
The baking soda reacts with the acidic figs and boiling water, creating carbon dioxide bubbles that leaven the cake while neutralizing excess acidity. Allowing this mixture to cool prevents the batter from becoming too warm, which would melt the butter and result in a dense, greasy cake. The thread-stage sugar syrup (230-235°F) creates the perfect consistency for a stable Italian meringue frosting—hot enough to pasteurize the egg whites and create structure, but not so hot it scrambles them.
The cake layers can be baked up to 2 days ahead, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and stored at room temperature. The unfrosted cake can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw completely before frosting. The fig-soda mixture can be prepared several hours ahead and stored covered at room temperature.
Store the frosted cake under a cake dome or loosely covered with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. Due to the meringue-based frosting, refrigeration is not recommended as it will weep and become sticky. The cake is best enjoyed within 24 hours of frosting for optimal texture.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The cake layers can be baked up to 2 days ahead, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and stored at room temperature. The unfrosted cake can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw completely before frosting. The fig-soda mixture can be prepared several hours ahead and stored covered at room temperature.
Store the frosted cake under a cake dome or loosely covered with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. Due to the meringue-based frosting, refrigeration is not recommended as it will weep and become sticky. The cake is best enjoyed within 24 hours of frosting for optimal texture.