birthday cake?

Who invented birthday cake? When did birthday cake make an appearance in modern culture?

Birthday cakes have been a part of birthday celebrations in Western European countries since the middle of the 19th century.[1] However, the link between cakes and birthday celebrations may date back to ancient Roman times.

“In classical Roman culture, ‘cakes’ were occasionally served at special birthdays and at weddings. These were flat circles made from flour and nuts, leavened with yeast, and sweetened with honey.” —https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_cake

But let’s slow down…where did they do these celebrations?

The Romans had three different types of birthday celebration: a personal, private one with family and friends; the birthdays of past and present imperial emperors who were honored with celebration; and finally, a person’s 50th birthday, which was particularly special and was celebrated with honey cake made of wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and cheese. — https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/09/24/finding-the-origin-of-the-birthday-cake-with-candles-and-song-tradition/

Yet…

Other historians think that the Ancient Greeks, with their honey cakes and bread, were the ones who initiated the custom of having a birthday cake.

Yet another theory regarding the tradition of a celebratory bread or cake suggests that it originated in Germany in the Middle Ages as a sweetened baked dough previously shaped as baby Jesus, as a commemoration of his birthday. This cake was upgraded in the early 15th century when it began to resemble what we enjoy today. The Germans celebrated young children’s birthdays with cake, naming the celebration Kinderfest–the nearest prerequisite of contemporary children’s birthday parties. These cakes were similar to the Romans’ festive bread but progressed into what was called Geburstagtorten–a sweeter, richer cake version.- https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/09/24/finding-the-origin-of-the-birthday-cake-with-candles-and-song-tradition/

Where did the candles come from?

It wouldn’t be complete to talk about the tradition of the birthday cake without mentioning the origin of the lit candles, which, like a sparkling crown, adorn the top of each cake. According to some, the Ancient Greeks not only came up with the birthday cake but also the lit candles. The goddess of the hunt, named Artemis, was regaled with cakes that people brought, each adorned with lit candles that were supposed to imitate the moon or moonlight, Artemis’ popular symbol. It was believed that the smoke from the candles carried people’s prayers to their gods. Supposedly, this ancient belief explains why today people make a wish before they blow out their birthday candles.https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/09/24/for-sale-baby-shoes-never-worn-tracing-the-history-of-the-shortest-story-ever-told/