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The Real History of Angel Food Cake with Recipes

The Real History of Angel Food Cake with Recipes

Think angel food cake is a recent invention? Angel food cake has been around a very long time, and the author of The American Pastry Cook, Jessup Whitehead, goes into detail about its origins way back in 1894, and makes you appreciate this gem of 

Indigo Blue Food Coloring

Indigo Blue Food Coloring

Blue food coloring came from indigo, or from Prussian Blue. Prussian blue originated in the early 1700’s, and the name is said to have come from the actual dye used to color the Prussian military uniforms. (Prussian Blue has been approved to help rid the 

The Paper Test For Proper Oven Temperatures

The Paper Test For Proper Oven Temperatures

A long time ago, there was no such thing as a push button or dial setting for getting just the right temperature for your home oven. It was a gas oven, and once there was a portable oven thermometer in place, you had to regulate your gas flames to ensure even temperatures. If you didn’t have an oven thermometer to help you out, you had to either use an educated and experienced guess, or use a paper test.

This exact test was described in detail to the readers of A Guide to Royal Success in Baking, written by Standard Brands Incorporated, the makers of Royal Baking Powder. Here is their guide, truncated to show popular pastry & baked goods. The full guide is listed in the book.

Paper Test: Although this test is not as accurate as either the oven control or thermometer, it will prove helpful when other means of testing the oven are not available. Place a piece of white unglazed paper in center of oven after it has been lighted for ten minutes. The heat is correct when the paper browns in the time specified below.

  • Quick Loaf Breads – at 375 degrees F. [moderate oven] – 1 1/2 minutes
  • Biscuits – at 475 degrees F. [hot oven] – 1/2 minute
  • Cookies – at 400 degrees F. [moderate hot oven] – 1 minute
  • Pastry Shells – at 475 degrees F. [very hot oven] – 1/2 minute
  • Meringue – at 325 degrees F. [slow oven] – 2 minutes

Of course, we don’t have to worry about this kind of calibration or testing now, but it is useful to know how they did it in the early 1900’s.

Sometimes Old School Pastry Is En Vogue

Sometimes Old School Pastry Is En Vogue

Think fruitcake as the base for wedding cake is old fashioned? You would be very correct. But it is also very much en vogue, as they reported for the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is to be made of traditional fruitcake. The 

How to Make Red Food Coloring Using Cochineal

How to Make Red Food Coloring Using Cochineal

Of all the food colorings that were produced, red is the most unusual for me. When I think of red food coloring I think of a red velvet cake, sweet hummingbird food, and Valentine’s day treats. I don’t think of insects. Cochineal is the red