
A historical dessert from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). A spoonful of dried apple sauce or of peach sauce, a spoonful of jelly, the same of lemon extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and spice—ground—or half a cupful of raisins might be added for a change.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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Mix ingredients to make a nice plain cake
To be eaten while it is fresh
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
This historical cake relies on a cream of tartar and baking soda reaction to create carbon dioxide for leavening—the acid-base combination produces immediate lift when liquid is added. The minimal mixing and low egg ratio create a tender, delicate crumb (hence "feather"), while the cold butter creates small pockets of steam during baking. The high sugar-to-fat ratio produces a fine, tight crumb structure that's characteristic of basic butter cakes from the early 20th century.
This cake is not suitable for advance preparation. The recipe specifically notes it should be eaten fresh, as the simple formula lacks the fat and moisture needed for extended shelf life. The delicate crumb becomes dry and crumbly within 24 hours.
Store covered at room temperature and consume within 24 hours for best texture. This cake can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature for 2 hours before serving. Note that the texture is best within hours of baking.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
This cake is not suitable for advance preparation. The recipe specifically notes it should be eaten fresh, as the simple formula lacks the fat and moisture needed for extended shelf life. The delicate crumb becomes dry and crumbly within 24 hours.
Store covered at room temperature and consume within 24 hours for best texture. This cake can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature for 2 hours before serving. Note that the texture is best within hours of baking.