Historic Recipes: History in the Baking

There is nothing more comforting on a cool Fall day than the smell of bread baking. And nothing more tempting than real butter on a warm slice of rich fruit-heavy tea cake baked from historic recipes.

A great collection to start is one of historical cookbooks, which you can pick up on your weekend trips to historical sites and destinations around Wilmington. One of our friends is a Williamsburg, Virginia, history buff, and has wonderful memories of trips to that historic city with her family as a child – trips that she continues to make now as an adult. Her copy of the Raleigh Tavern Bake Shop recipe collection, published by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, is well loved.

Historic recipes from one colonial city would have been very similar to those from another, so it is absolutely in the realm of historical possibility that Wilmington’s kitchens would also have turned out loaves of fragrant Queen’s cake, full of butter and currants. Top with rich Kerrygold pure Irish butter. With a cup of tea or a hot cup of coffee, this is the perfect mid morning or late afternoon break, and a real treat for a visitor.

China and serveware patterns can compliment a passion for historical baking and entertaining. Of course, a hostess with a love for everything Williamsburg would have a beautiful collection of Wedgewood China company’s Chinese Flowers pattern, which is part of the Williamsburg Commemorative Ware. It is a registered trademark of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Queen’s bread is perfect served for tea on a vintage glass plate or this stunning bone china pattern of cranberry flowers and green leaves with gold trim and charming scalloped edge. The discerning hostess opts for linen napkins, too.

Do you have favorite recipe for baking history, from one of those little “tourist souvenir cookbooks” or one passed down from your family’s kitchens?

Please share your comments and photos.

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