Battenberg Cake

Battenberg Cake is a light sponge cake with pieces covered in jam and wrapped in a layer of marzipan. The cake is visually distinctive for its two-by-two check pattern alternately coloured pink and yellow when viewed in cross section.

History

The origin of the Battenberg Cake is believed to be in England, with the name referring to the town of Battenberg, Germany. The cake was supposedly created in honour of the 1884 marriage of Queen Victoria's granddaughter to Prince Louis of Battenberg, with the four squares representing the four Battenberg princes: Louis, Alexander, Henry, and Francis Joseph.

Preparation

The cake is made by baking a yellow and a pink sponge cake separately, then cutting and combining the pieces in a chequered pattern. The pieces are held together by apricot jam and covered with marzipan. To maintain the check pattern, it is important to alternate the colours when assembling the cake.

Variations

While the traditional Battenberg Cake is pink and yellow, variations exist. For example, the Checkerboard Cake is a similar concept but with more squares. Some variations also include different flavours for the different coloured sections, such as chocolate or lemon.

Cultural Significance

The Battenberg Cake is a popular teatime cake in the UK and is widely available in supermarkets. It has also been featured in various British television shows and literature, further cementing its place in British culture.

See Also

• Sponge Cake
• Marzipan
• Checkerboard Cake