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NATIONAL SPONGE CAKE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

On August 23rd, enjoy National Sponge Cake Day with the quintessential classic of the cake world. This airy queen of teas is the guest of honor, but we get the pleasure of tasting! 

One of the trickiest cakes for bakers to master, a perfect sponge stands tall. Another balancing trick for bakers includes maintaining a fine crumb while keeping the cake moist. If you enjoy layering berries and whipped cream, the sponge handles this task beautifully. 

The sponge cake is believed to be one of the first non-yeasted cakes. 

The sponge cake is thought to have originated in the Caribbean. However, the earliest English printed recipe for sponge cake comes from an English poet and author, Gervase Markham. In 1615 he published a sponge cake recipe in the book The English Huswife, Containing the Inward and Outward Virtues Which Ought to Be in a Complete Woman.

I can’t knit or make plum jam, but I can bake a bloody Victoria sponge. ~ Helen Mirren as Chris in Calendar Girls (2003)

In 2003, the sponge cake played a tiny role in the movie Calendar Girls starring Helen Mirren. In the scene, Mirren’s character, Chris, enters a baking competition. However, she forgets she entered, and instead of entering a sponge cake of her own making, she submits a store-bought Victoria sponge cake.

Want More Cake…

HOW TO OBSERVE #SpongeCakeDay

Be sure to find more of your favorite cakes here.

Get some sponge cake and enjoy it. Or, if you are up to the challenge, try this Glorious Sponge Cake recipe. Serve it with berries or a preserve. Use #SpongeCakeDay to post on social media.

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB WINE DAY

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Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day on the third Saturday in July celebrates the strawberry sweetness of summer with a relaxing sip of wine. The day offers an excellent opportunity for a wine tasting featuring a strawberry rhubarb wine, too. 

In July of 2010, Maple River Winery in historic downtown Casselton, North Dakota, proudly accepted the Double Gold Award at the Indy International Wine Competition for its Strawberry Rhubarb Wine. What a delicious way to celebrate! But what is rhubarb?

It may be difficult for the common person to classify rhubarb. Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? While technically rhubarb may be known as a tart perennial vegetable, combining it with strawberries creates a unique flavor. Some even consider it the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Rhubarb even went to court over the matter. In 1947 in a customs court in Buffalo, New York, the court ruled that since rhubarb is used as a fruit in the United States, for the purposes of regulations and duties, it was to be counted as a fruit. 

And from the wine perspective, that’s a good thing. Fruit wines sound so much better than vegetable wine. Of course, strawberry rhubarb wine celebrates the day with a flavor that tastes like summer. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #StrawberryRhubarbWineDay

While enjoying the summer day, savor some chilled strawberry rhubarb wine. Uncork a bottle and pour a glass. Actually, pour a few glasses and share it with a friend or two. Strawberry rhubarb wine goes well with a picnic, so take a bottle or two! A bottle makes a great gift, too. Strawberry rhubarb wine also complements many dishes and you just can’t go wrong! Share your celebration by posting on social media using #StrawberryRhubarbWineDay.  

Red Wine Glasses Iridescent Wine Glass Stemware Crystal Wine Glasses Rainbow Wine Glasses for Wine Tasting , Wedding Gift, Anniversary, Christmas, Birthday (Set of 4)#StrawberryRhubarbWineDay
Red Wine Glasses Iridescent Wine Glass Stemware Crystal Wine Glasses Rainbow Wine Glasses for Wine Tasting , Wedding Gift, Anniversary, Christmas, Birthday (Set of 4)
OXO Steel Vertical Lever Corkscrew with Removable Foil Cutter#StrawberryRhubarbWineDay
OXO Steel Vertical Lever Corkscrew with Removable Foil Cutter
OKD Farmhouse Wine Bar Cabinet w/Sliding Barn Door, 54" Kitchen Coffee Bar Cabinet w/Wine & Glass Rack, Storage Shelves, 3 Drawers, Rustic Large Buffet Sideboard for Dining Room, Antique White#StrawberryRhubarbWineDay
OKD Farmhouse Wine Bar Cabinet w/Sliding Barn Door, 54″ Kitchen Coffee Bar Cabinet w/Wine & Glass Rack, Storage Shelves, 3 Drawers, Rustic Large Buffet Sideboard for Dining Room, Antique White
Loomie Wine Bar Cabinet with LED Light, Home Coffee Cabinet with Wine Rack and Glass Holder, Kitchen Buffet Sideboard W Storage Shelf, Freestanding Liquor Cabinet for Living Room, Dining Room (Black)#StrawberryRhubarbWineDay
Loomie Wine Bar Cabinet with LED Light, Home Coffee Cabinet with Wine Rack and Glass Holder, Kitchen Buffet Sideboard W Storage Shelf, Freestanding Liquor Cabinet for Living Room, Dining Room (Black)

NATIONAL ICE CREAM CAKE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

National Ice Cream Cake Day is observed annually on June 27. In the height of summer, an ice cream cake is the perfect dessert.

An ice cream cake consists of any flavor of ice cream in the shape of a cake.  It can include many different ingredients such as cake, cookie crumbs, sponge cake, fudge, fruit or caramel between the layers of ice cream.  It is then frosted with either whipped cream or a similar icing.  Ice cream cakes are kept frozen until served.  They are typically decorated and served at a wide variety of parties.

Although the origin of the ice cream cake remains somewhat of a mystery, this popular dessert combines the classic summer treat, ice cream, with the time-honored celebratory cake, which makes it one of the best culinary inventions to date.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Order an ice cream cake from your favorite bakery or make your own to share with friends.  Use #nationalicecreamcakeday to share your photos on social media.

HIWARE 7 Inch Non-stick Springform Pan/Cheesecake Pan/Leakproof Cake Pan#nationalicecreamcakeday
HIWARE 7 Inch Non-stick Springform Pan/Cheesecake Pan/Leakproof Cake Pan
SOUJOY Springform Cake Pan, Non-stick Cheesecake Pan, 14 x 9 Inch Large Rectangle Cake Pan with Removable Bottom, Ice Cream Cake Bakeware#nationalicecreamcakeday
SOUJOY Springform Cake Pan, Non-stick Cheesecake Pan, 14 x 9 Inch Large Rectangle Cake Pan with Removable Bottom, Ice Cream Cake Bakeware

NATIONAL COGNAC DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 12 Comments

National Cognac Day is observed from coast to coast each year on June 4.

A well-known variety of brandy, Cognac was named after the town of Cognac in France.  It is produced in the wine-growing region which surrounds the town from which it takes its name.

Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass Pure Stemware Collection Cognac Glass, 20.8-Ounce, Set of 6 by Schott Zwiesel
Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass Pure Stemware Collection Cognac Glass, 20.8-Ounce, Set of 6

by Schott Zwiesel

Certain legal requirements must be met within the production for a distilled brandy to bear the name Cognac. The use of a particular variety of grape is one requirement along with the need to distill the brandy twice in copper pot stills.  The primary grape used is Ugni Blanc. The brandy must also be aged at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Troncais. Most cognacs are aged much longer than the minimum legal requirement.

There are close to 200 cognac producers.  According to one 2008 estimate, more than 90% of cognac for the U.S. market comes from only four producers.

Whiskey, Cognac & Cigars: Guidance in Mixology, Pairing & Enjoying Life's Finer Things Kindle Edition by Carlos Batista (Author)
Whiskey, Cognac & Cigars: Guidance in Mixology, Pairing & Enjoying Life’s Finer Things Kindle Edition

by Carlos Batista (Author)

The following are cognac-based drinks:

  • Grand Marnier – made from cognac and distilled essence of bitter orange
  • Pineau des Charentes – a sweet aperitif, composed of eau-de-vie and grape must
  • Domaine De Canton – cognac-based ginger liqueur
  • Dutch brandy (Vieux) – Dutch imitation cognac, usually containing some cognac

HOW TO OBSERVE

Use #NationalCognacDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

Observed annually on May 19, National Devil’s Food Cake Day is enjoyed by chocolate cake lovers throughout the country and around the world.

Devil’s Food cake is a heavenly chocolate cake.  It differs from a regular chocolate cake by its darker color and tends to be more moist and airy.  Devil’s Food cake recipes use hot or boiling water as the primary liquid. Cocoa is typically utilized in the batter, as opposed to chocolate, and coffee can be added for a distinctive flavor.  A delicious chocolate frosting usually accompanies the cake.

Recipes for Devil’s Food cakes often appeared alongside recipes for Angel Food cakes.  One of the earliest recipes appeared in the August 10, 1898, edition of the Hagerstown Exponent of Hagerstown, Indiana.

The once Queen of France said, “Let them eat cake“, I cant think of a better idea in today’s world.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Mix up this irresistible Devil’s Food Cake I recipe. Use #DevilsFoodCakeDay to post on social media.