
A historical dessert from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). The top of the cake may be frosted if you choose.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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Put these ingredients together with care; just as if it were a very rich cake
Bake it in three layers and put frosting between—the frosting to be made of the whites of two eggs with enough powdered sugar to make it thick
The top of the cake may be frosted if you choose
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
The combination of butter and wine creates a tender, moist crumb through fat coating of flour proteins, which limits gluten development. The soda (likely reacting with wine's acidity) provides chemical leavening for a light texture. Baking in thin layers ensures even heat penetration and quick moisture evaporation, creating stable layers that won't compress under frosting weight. The egg white frosting acts as both adhesive and protective barrier, sealing in moisture between layers.
The unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen layers at room temperature before assembling. The egg white frosting should be made fresh and used immediately, as it does not store well and will weep and deflate.
Store the assembled cake under a cake dome or inverted large bowl at room temperature for up to 2 days. Due to the egg white frosting (which is essentially a meringue), refrigeration will cause weeping and a sticky surface. This cake is best consumed within 24 hours of assembly for optimal texture. Do not freeze the assembled cake.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen layers at room temperature before assembling. The egg white frosting should be made fresh and used immediately, as it does not store well and will weep and deflate.
Store the assembled cake under a cake dome or inverted large bowl at room temperature for up to 2 days. Due to the egg white frosting (which is essentially a meringue), refrigeration will cause weeping and a sticky surface. This cake is best consumed within 24 hours of assembly for optimal texture. Do not freeze the assembled cake.