Top 100 Cake Blog

Top 100 Cake Blog
Showing posts with label matrimony cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label matrimony cake. Show all posts

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Say "I Do" to Matrimony Cake


Matrimony Cake (as opposed to wedding cake) is a rather plebeian affair -- simple and unadorned -- and really yummy (unlike typical wedding cakes, created for visual appeal).  Its three layers -- cooked dates sandwiched between an oatmeal-flour base and topping -- are more reminiscent of fig newtons than something served at a celebration of love.

I made this for our Mother's Day get-together last weekend, in honor of the upcoming nuptials of the DD and her longtime boyfriend who are tying the knot in a couple of weeks.  To my surprise, everyone loved it. Josh, my future son-in-law, thought this would make great energy bars for those (like him) who spend hours biking racing.

Matrimony cake requires just six ingredients; four are pictured below.


Start by making the date filling (basically dates, sugar and water cooked until it forms a paste).


Mix up the batter and put half in a round or square cake pan.  Then spread it out into a single layer.  I donned non-latex gloves to do this -- reminded me of working with play dough.


Bottom layer in the pan.


Spread the date filling on the bottom layer.  I used the back of a spoon and an offset spatula.



Next, place the top layer on the date filling.  This is a bit tricky to smooth over the filling, but it need not be perfect (see below).


Baked!


Production notes:  Grease the pan. I used butter instead of shortening and a round pan.  Next time, I'd use an 8-inch square pan and cut the cake into bars.  Because the only oatmeal I had on hand was the quick cooking kind, that's what I used -- it was fine.  And there are no eggs in this batter!
For the date filling, used 8 ounces of dates and a bit less sugar. I neglected to chop the dates which slowed the cooking time.  I also kept adding water; the 1/4 cup was not nearly enough.  If you add too much water, you can just cook the mixture down until it's of spreading consistency.