Catholic Recipe: Seed Cake

In England the celebration has always been elaborate and various cakes were made especially for this day. First among them came the seed cake, but the "god cakes" of Coventry were also very popular. These last were of all sizes, some so small they sold for a penny and some so large they sold for a pound, and they were not really cakes at all, but a sort of tart with a filling and cut in a triangle. This is a modern version of the English seed cake.

The triangle shape is a reminder of the Trinity, which would make them appropriate for Trinity Sunday.

Seed cakes can also a traditional food for the feast of the Annunciation, thinking of the "seed" planted in Mary at that moment of her "Fiat."

DIRECTIONS

Beat the butter until creamy and add the egg yolks and sugar, beating thoroughly. Stir in the egg whites and mix briskly. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt and add to the mixture, alternating with the milk. Beat well; add caraway seeds and vanilla. Pour into a well-greased tube pan and bake at 350° F. for an hour and fifteen minutes. An early American recipe says, "Wash the butter in rose water, drean out the water and add a few drops of oyl of sinnamont."