How to Make a "Twelfth Night" Cake

It is said that the Wise Men visited the manger on January 6th. One brought gold from Arabia, a symbol of royalty. One brought myrrh which symbolized the suffering the Christ Child would one day endure. One brought frankincense, a symbol of Christ's divinity.

During the Middle Ages Christmas lasted for twelve days, ending on this commemorative date. The eve of January 5th was the Eve of Epiphany [similar to our Christmas Eve] which led into the Twelfth Day which ended with the Feast of the Epiphany.

Many countries celebrate with versions of a "Twelfth Night" cake that contain items that when found will bring good fortune to the one who finds it.

This version of a Twelfth Night cake has been in my family for years. We eat the cake, proclaim the fortunes and then take down the decorations ending the Christmas Season. Serve with Wassail.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1 lg. can evaporated milk plus water to measure 2 cups
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1/4 tsp. cardamon
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• a dried bean
• a clove
• a thimble
• a button
• a dime
• a heart shaped item

1. Mix the oil, sugar and eggs together.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and baking powder.

3. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture alternating with the milk.

4. Stir in the spices.

5. Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured bundt pan.

6. Sprinkle half of the almonds on the batter.

7. Stir the remaining almonds into the remaining batter still in the bowl.

8. Spread this batter mixture over the batter in the pan.

9. After wrapping the "fortune" pieces [bean, clove, thimble, button, dime and heart shaped item]in aluminum foil poke them down into the batter all around the cake.

10. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until done.

11. Cool ten minutes and then turn out onto a serving plate. Cool completely.

12. Sprinkle confectioner's sugar over the top.

13. Explain what the fortune pieces mean:
    -the one finding the bean will rule over the evening.
    -the one finding the clove is said to have a sense of humor.
    -the one finding the thimble is said to gain patience.
    -the one finding the button will be faithful.
    -the one finding the dime will be prosperous in the new year.
    -the one finding the heart shaped item will have love in their future.

Tips & Warnings

• You may add different items that may be more appropriate for your gathering.
• Make sure your items are wrapped in foil large enough that they cannot be accidentally swallowed.

[jenkinr]

on 2/10/2009 I've heard of this before, but never seen it done. I like this and think we'll do it next Christmas. Thanks for the idea...5*

[infoalley]

on 2/2/2009 Nice to learn about tradtions, seems we have so few left ~ Allison

[lisaha75]

on 1/18/2009 good article

[CrystalZoom]

on 1/14/2009 I never heard of this cake before. I like things like that.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/11/2009 Thanks for the recipe. This is a lovely tradition.