Watergate cake

Watergate Cake is a type of dessert that gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s. It is named after the Watergate scandal, a major political scandal that occurred in the U.S. during the same period. The cake is known for its distinctive green color, which is achieved through the use of pistachio pudding mix in its recipe.

History

The Watergate Cake, like its companion dessert, the Watergate Salad, is believed to have been created in the wake of the Watergate scandal. The scandal, which involved the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the subsequent cover-up by members of the Nixon administration, dominated national headlines during the early 1970s.

The cake was reportedly named as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the scandal, with its cover-up icing and the inside filled with nuts, symbolizing the "nuts" involved in the scandal. However, the exact origin of the cake and its name remains unclear.

Recipe

The traditional recipe for Watergate Cake involves the use of pistachio pudding mix, which gives the cake its characteristic green color. Other ingredients typically include white cake mix, oil, eggs, club soda, and sometimes almond extract. The cake is usually topped with a frosting made from whipped topping, pistachio pudding mix, and milk.

Cultural Significance

The Watergate Cake, along with the Watergate Salad, represents a unique period in American history when a political scandal was so pervasive that it permeated even into the realm of food and desserts. The cake remains a popular dessert choice in many parts of the U.S., particularly for those with a fondness for pistachio-flavored treats.

See Also

• Watergate Salad
• American cuisine
• 1970s in the United States