As we step into 2025, we can't help but think about all the birthday cakes, wedding cakes and celebration cakes that have marked special moments through time. It's wild to think that generations before us shared these same sweet traditions, cutting into their own special cakes just like we do today. And while cake trends come and go, the stories behind our favorite cakes are pretty amazing. Ever caught yourself daydreaming about cake? It's funny how a simple dessert can bring back so many memories. Cakes have been around forever, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. But here's a thought that hit us the other day: where did these cakes actually come from? I mean, someone, somewhere, had to come up with the idea, right? And how on earth did they figure out all those different flavours and styles? It got us curious. So we started digging into the backstories of some all-time favourites. Want to know more about the cakes you've been eating all your life? Stick around - you might be surprised by what you read. 10 Favorite Cakes of 2025 and the History Behind Them Tiramisu Cake Ever wondered why Tiramisu, affectionately known as the "Tuscan Trifle," has that irresistible coffee kick? Well, there's a good reason for that! This Italian treat, whose name means "pick me up" or cheer me up, first appeared in the 1960s in Treviso, Italy. The story goes that a local restaurant created it as a tasty energy booster for their customers. This dessert sparked a heated debate in the culinary world. Back in 2013, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy tried to get Protected Geographical Indication status for Tiramisu. Basically, they wanted to claim it as their own, like Champagne in France. But other regions cried foul, saying they had just as much claim to the dessert. In the end, Tiramisu remained free for everyone to make and enjoy. Chocolate Cake Chocolate cake, with its darker, richer variant famously called "Devil's Food Cake," has got a wild history. Believe it or not, it didn't show up until the 1800s when some genius figured out how to make cocoa powder. Before that, chocolate was strictly a drink. Can you imagine living where you could only drink chocolate? The first recorded chocolate cake recipe popped up in 1847, but it wasn't the decadent treat we know today. It was more like a yellow cake with chocolate icing. It took until 1886 for someone to create an all-chocolate cake. Since then, we've been tweaking and perfecting it. From death by chocolate to molten lava cakes, we're still finding new ways to get our chocolate fix! Cheesecake Okay, hold onto your forks because cheesecake's history is full of surprises. This creamy delight, sometimes called "The Olympic Dessert" given its ancient Greek origins, goes way back - we're talking Ancient Greece, around 2,000 years ago! The Greeks served it to athletes during the first Olympic games. But the cheesecake we know and love? That's all thanks to New York. When cream cheese was invented in 1872, bakers went nuts experimenting. By the 1900s, New York-style cheesecake was the talk of the town. And there's no official recipe! Every baker's got their own secret twist. No wonder we can't get enough of it! Christmas Plum Cake Did you know Christmas plum cake doesn't actually have plums in it? Back in medieval England, "plum" was a catch-all term for dried fruits. This festive cake started out as "plum porridge," a hearty mix of meat, dried fruit, and spices. Over time, it morphed into a proper cake, loaded with booze-soaked fruits and nuts. In Britain, they call it "Christmas pudding," and it's traditionally made five weeks before Christmas to let all those flavours come together. Black Forest Cake Germany's Black Forest region, surrounded by cherry trees and chocolate-loving folks... that's where our beloved Black Forest cake, or "Schwarzwlder Kirschtorte" as the Germans call it, was born! A perfect combo of chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream. The cake got its official name in 1915, but it wasn't until the 1930s that it really took off. Know what made it special? A splash of kirschwasser, a clear cherry brandy. In fact, in Germany, it's not Black Forest cake without it. Some say the cake was inspired by the traditional costume of Black Forest women - black as chocolate, white as cream, and red as cherries. Now thats edible fashion! Red Velvet Cake Ever wondered why red velvet cake is, well, red? First created in the kitchens of NYC's famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (hence its nickname "The Waldorf-Astoria Cake"), this beloved treat has quite the story. It turns out that it has nothing to do with food colouring - at least not originally. Going back to the 1800s, bakers used cocoa powder that reacted with acidic ingredients, giving the cake a reddish tint.The red velvet cake really hit its stride during the Great Depression. Bakers used beet juice to enhance the colour, making a fancy-looking cake on the cheap. It wasn't until the 1950s that the bright red we know today became a thing. Carrot Cake Okay, hands up if you've ever used carrot cake as an excuse to eat veggies. Originally known as "ABC Cake" (Almond, Butter, Carrot Cake), this clever creation has been fooling us into eating our greens for centuries. Carrot puddings were a thing in Medieval Europe when sugar and sweeteners were hard to come by. Carrots were the next best thing! But the carrot cake we know and love? That's a product of the 1960s health food craze in the U.S. It got a major popularity boost during World War II when sugar was rationed. And the cream cheese frosting is a relatively new addition, but let's be honest. It's what makes the cake. Who knew eating your veggies could be so yummy? Honey Cake Honey cake, or "Lekach" as it's known in Yiddish, has some impressive history behind it. It goes all the way back to ancient Egypt and Rome, where honey was the sweetener of choice long before sugar became popular. But the honey cake we know and enjoy today? That's actually a creation of Eastern European Jewish communities. They took that ancient idea and made it into something special that's now enjoyed all over the world. This spiced honey cake is a Rosh Hashanah staple. Why? Well, eating sweet stuff was supposed to bring a sweet new year. The best part? Every family's got their own secret recipe. Some throw in coffee, others prefer tea. Either way, it's a sweet trip down memory lane for many. Tres Leches Cake Three milks are better than one, right? That's the philosophy behind Tres Leches cake, or "Pastel de Tres Leches" as it's traditionally called. This Latin American favourite is like a sponge cake that's living its best life, soaked in three types of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. The origin of this cake is a bit unclear, with Nicaragua, Mexico, and Cuba all claiming it. But here's a twist you didn't see coming - some food historians think it might have started as a clever marketing ploy by a canned milk company in the 1940s. Whatever the truth, we're just glad someone came up with the idea of dunking cake in milk. Lemon Cake Lemon cake, also known as "Citrus Pound Cake," has been zesting up our lives for centuries. The ancient Romans were onto something when they mixed lemons with cake-like bread. But the lemon cake we know today? Probably derived from the traditional pound cake, it really took shape in the 1700s when refined sugar became more available. Lemon cake got a major popularity boost from the Victorian era's afternoon tea tradition. It was the perfect not-too-sweet treat to go with a cuppa. And some bakers insist on adding a bit of lemon zest to the pan before pouring in the batter. It's supposed to give the cake an extra lemony kick. Useful Article : Top 12 Types of Cakes to Try Fascinating Facts from Cake HistoryGather all together for some delicious historical gossip. Coins in Roman Cakes: In ancient Rome, they had an interesting custom of hiding a coin in their cakes. Imagine the surprise of finding a little treasure in your cake! Challenging Wedding Cake Traditions: Wedding cakes of the past were quite the spectacle. The newlyweds had to kiss over the top of them without letting it fall since they were stacked that high. For the pair, it was undoubtedly a test of balance. History of Birthday Cake Traditions: Germans are the origin of the custom of making birthday cakes with candles. It began with "Kinderfeste" in the 18th century. This celebration included cakes decorated with candles, much like our modern birthday cakes. Etymology of "Piece of Cake": The phrase "piece of cake" is used to describe something easy and has an interesting origin. It all began with cakes being distributed as prizes during cake walks in the 1870s. We now use the expression - "Piece of Cake" because winning a cake was seen as both simple and desirable. How Different Cultures Celebrate the New Year with a Cake Greece - A Slice of Luck with Vasilopita In Greece, the New Year starts with Vasilopita, a cake that holds a special tradition. Inside the warm, fragrant layers, theres a hidden coin, and no one knows exactly where it is. Thats what makes the whole thing so exciting. Family gatherings become moments of playful excitement as everyone eagerly watches the cake being sliced. With all of this going around, theres always that one grandma (yiayia, as Greeks lovingly call) who somehow makes sure her favorite grandchild gets the piece with the coin, year after year. France - The Royal Tradition of Galette des Rois Just as the New Year festivities wind down in France, another sweet tradition takes the spotlight - the Galette des Rois, spanning from New Year's to Shrove Tuesday, with its peak on January 6th for the Epiphany. This pastry, filled with frangipane (a creamy almond and custard mix), hides a small figurine, known as a fve. While it once featured a baby Jesus, todays fves can range from cartoon characters to tiny figurines. The fun begins when the youngest child crawls under the table (yep, you read that right!) and picks who gets each slice, making sure its all fair and square and whoever finds the fve is crowned king or queen for the day, wearing a golden paper crown. Spain - Roscn de Reyes and the Hidden Figurine Here in Spain, the New Year celebrations flow right into another sweet tradition that keeps the festive spirit alive - the Roscn de Reyes. It's a ring-shaped sweet bread, decorated with colorful candied fruits. This treat honors the Three Wise Men, but the excitement comes from a hidden surprise inside - a tiny plastic figurine of baby Jesus. Finding it is like winning a lottery, except instead of money, the lucky person gets to host a party on February 2nd, known as Da de la Candelaria. Traditionally enjoyed on January 6th, the Roscn de Reyes kicks off an extended season of celebrations, and if you're wondering about that February party - yes, it typically involves tamales, mixing sweet and savory traditions that keep the celebrations going and bring everyone together once again. Portugal - The Royal Bolo-Rei If there's one thing the Portuguese know how to do, it's turn cake into a two-month long celebration! The Bolo-rei, a festive cake shaped like a crown, has been a beloved holiday tradition since the 1800s. Originally a royal treat from the Confeitaria Nacional, it now graces the tables of Portuguese families throughout the season. Filled with raisins, nuts, and crystallized fruit, and topped with powdered sugar, it symbolizes abundance and joy. The tradition brings communities together and in some parts of Portugal, bakers take their Bolo-rei so seriously that they hold competitions to crown (pun intended!) the best artisanal version. Scotland - Hogmanay Cakes and Rich Traditions Leave it to the Scots to turn oats into something truly special for New Year's! Their Hogmanay celebration wouldn't be complete without oatmeal cakes, a tradition dating back to Viking times. In fact, the word "Hogmanay" is thought to come from these oatcakes, which were handed out to excited kids on New Year's Eve; some even call it "Cake Day." Another highlight of the Scottish New Year feast is the Black Bun, a rich, brandy-soaked cake packed with raisins, currants, and spices, all wrapped in buttery shortcrust pastry. It's believed that receiving one ensures your family won't go hungry in the year ahead. These traditions become part of a larger celebration, with streets filled with parades, singing, dancing, and fire-swingers lighting up the winter night, making the Scots' Hogmanay truly unforgettable. Denmark - Kransekage and the Ring of Luck Ever seen a tower of cookies masquerading as a cake? Thats exactly what the Danish kransekage looks like! Pronounced "krans-eh-kaye," this dessert takes center stage at Danish New Year's celebrations. Made of concentric rings of almond sweetness stacked into a cone and draped with white icing and festive decorations, its as much a centerpiece as a treat. The fun begins at midnight when everyone breaks off pieces to share, like a delicious game of Jenga with an almond twist, perfectly complementing the champagne toast. The Danes have enjoyed these sweet towers since the 1600s, believing they bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Netherlands - Oliebollen and the Sweet Folklore If you think doughnuts are just an American thing, wait until you hear about oliebollen! These delicious Dutch doughnuts have been a New Years tradition in the Netherlands for centuries. Oliebollen are warm, fluffy balls of fried dough, often filled with raisins or apples, and dusted with powdered sugar. Starting in November, the streets fill with the irresistible smell of these treats as stands pop up everywhere. The best way to enjoy them is fresh and warm, with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar if you're feeling fancy. Whats even more interesting is their spooky origin story: Dutch folklore says eating oliebollen protected people from a goddess named Perchta, who would cut open bellies during midwinter. The oil from the doughnuts would make her sword slide right off! China - Nian Gao and the Prosperity Wishes When it comes to sweet symbols of success, the Chinese nian gao takes the cake! This sticky rice treat is not only delicious but also a clever play on words, as "nian gao" sounds like "year high," making it a perfect treat for anyone wishing for growth, a promotion, or good fortune in the new year. The origins of nian gao are linked to an interesting piece of folklore: it was once believed to help keep the Kitchen God sweet-talked and prevent him from tattling to the Jade Emperor about a family's behavior. Today, nian gao is a staple in Chinese households during New Year celebrations, with families either making their own or gifting them to loved ones to share the promise of prosperity for the year ahead. Who'd have thought our favourite cakes had such origins? From ancient athletes chowing down on cheesecake to medieval folks getting crafty with carrots, it's clear we've always had a soft spot for these treats. It's pretty interesting to think how they've changed all over the years. Some started as health tonics, others as substitutes when times were tight. But no matter where they came from, they've all made a special place in our hearts (and on our dessert plates). Now that you know the fascinating stories behind these treats, why not make your new year's eve special by baking one with a story? From classic new year cake recipes that have delighted generations to traditional new year special cake varieties from around the world, these time-tested favorites carry centuries of celebrations in every slice. Don't worry if this talk has made you crave for some classic celebration cakes. With our selection of these cakes, Happy Belly Bakes is offering up pieces of history. We have the ideal piece of cake history waiting for you, whether you're searching for a red velvet cake or a chocolate cake.
