Groaning Cake

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

As bizarre as this sounds it's an actual cake. No, it doesn't groan but it's associated with childbirth historically, hence the name groaning cake. I stumbled upon this unusual recipe courtesy of a friend who was doing research about the history of childbirth and it's associated rituals.

Traditionally the cake is baked by pregnant women as a form of distraction during early labor. It then serves as a nourishing post-delivery treat for the hungry and tired new mother, her midwife, and any visitors. It's a particularly well known in the UK and Canada and possibly originates in Cornwall.

The tradition of a groaning cake, or kimbly, at birth is an ancient one. Wives' tales say that the scent of the groaning cake being baked in the birth house helps to ease the mother's pain. Some say if a mother breaks the eggs while she's aching, her labor won't last as long. Others say that if a family wants prosperity and fertility, the father must pass pieces of the cake to friends and family the first time the mother and baby are "churched" (or the first time they go to a public gathering) after a birth." Ami McKay​

It sounds very much like a spice cake to me. Some recipes I've seen also include grated ginger and the addition of nuts like walnuts.

Ingredients -

• 2 ½ cups flour
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ½ cup oil
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ cup orange juice
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ cup molasses
• ½ tsp. ground cloves
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 ½ cups apple (grated, no skin)
• 1 tsp. almond extract

Directions - Sift dry ingredients together. Add apple. Beat eggs. Add oil, orange juice, molasses and sugar. Add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Add almond extract. Bake at 350 F. for 35-40 minutes. Makes two 9 X 5 loaves or about 18 muffins. ~ Source ~

 

[Shalom Hobbitess]

It sounds very much like a spice cake to me. Some recipes I've seen also include grated ginger and the addition of nuts like walnuts.

Makes me think of a wedding cake of the 1860s, which were sort of a cross between what we think of a spice cake and Christmas fruit cakes. Although I'm intrigued by the combination of molasses, cloves, apples and almond extract -- that's a new one on me, and it sounds pretty good! Although if it also tastes orange-y, that might be overkill. Still, I'm thinking I need to check the baking apples situation for this...

I love recipes with names like "Groaning Cake"! I always want to try recipes like Rum Tum Tiddy, or Lumberjack Mac, or Snickerdoodle. And would Runza or Picadillo or Sauerbraten sound half so appealing with English names? For that matter, we end up renaming a lot of recipes we really like -- Coffeeground Milkshakes (the "coffee grounds" are chocolate), or Slimer Slush, or False Hope Bars. Also simplifies life. So much easier to do a search for "False Hope Bars" than for "those spice bars that remind me of Molasses Crinkles" -- as opposed to all the other spice bars we like -- especially since I don't tend to code my recipes by what they remind me of...

Still want to make a Minnehaha Cake, just because it's a Minnehaha Cake. Well, and also because I have a certain fascination for the White City (Chicago World's Fair 1893).

https://historydollop.com/2016/12/11/minnehaha-cake-chicago-worlds-fair-1893/

 

[mofederal]

That is pretty different kind of cake, thank you for posting it. At least there are no raisins in it.

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

Makes me think of a wedding cake of the 1860s, which were sort of a cross between what we think of a spice cake and Christmas fruit cakes. Although I'm intrigued by the combination of molasses, cloves, apples and almond extract -- that's a new one on me, and it sounds pretty good! Although if it also tastes orange-y, that might be overkill. Still, I'm thinking I need to check the baking apples situation for this...

Oh, yes, the Victorian wedding cake recipes are very fruitcake in style with a touch of gingerbread about them. Some how the combination of the ingredients in the groaning cake remind of Amish flavors when put together like this. I do agree, the orange juice is a questionable addition. I was thinking if I made this, I'd use milk or maybe even buttermilk instead of the juice. I'd go with Granny Smith apples or something equally firm and not too sweet

I'd never heard of Minnehaha Cake - but what a fun name - plus it looks good too! That Chicago World's Fare really brought about a lot of wonderful food, drinks and treats!

That is pretty different kind of cake, thank you for posting it. At least there are no raisins in it.

No, no raisins, but I think you could add any fruit/nut combination of your choice that melds well with the ingredients. I saw another groaning cake recipe online using carrots instead of apples, which of course makes it sound more like carrot cake.