The Cake That America Forgot 1796 "Independence Cake" |Fire Cooking| Real Recipe ASMR

Once upon a time a long, long time ago in a country called the United States every 4th of July communities would gather to throw Independence parties, where this delicious yet somehow forgotten cake was the highlight. Since it had to have been large enough to feed a party this cake would have originally been the size of a large wedding cake. This cake is DELICIOUS and really needs to make a comeback. Can we do it?
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[@EarlyAmerican]

If enough of us come together we can make this cake a tradition again! Below you will find the recipe translated from the original into modern directions. This is 1/10th of the original cake, as the original (which appears at the end of the video) was intended to be made for a large gathering. Independence Cake, 1796 7.25 cups of flour 0.6 cups of sugar 1 pound of butter, softened 5 eggs 0.4 cups of sweet wine (madeira is a historically accurate choice, or sherry) 0.4 cups of brandy 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast (please note that you may need to add more alcohol in this recipe to form the batter to make up for the use of dry yeast here when the original would have been more of a liquidy yeast). 0.5 cups of rasins 0.5 cups of currants, fresh or dried 0.2 cups of candied citron 0.6 tablespoons of cinnamon, cloves & mace Nutmeg, a pinch Royal icing Edible gold leaf Boxwood leaves Combine your flour, sugar and spices in a large mixing bowl. Give this a good stir. Throw in your softended butter, yeast and alcohols. Give it another good stir. Put in your eggs and dried fruit. Mix up well before pouring into a buttered cake pan (or several if you don't have one big enough as was the case with me). If your dough is dry add more wine or brandy, whatever suites your fancy, till you've formed what looks like a thick cake batter. Let rise for 1 hour to let the yeast do its magic. Bake for anywhere from 60-90 minutes. Your cook time will varry depending on the size of your cooking vessel. Test that it's done by inserting a butter knife or a toothpick and if it comes out clean it's done, especially if the top is a golden brown. Once done remove from your cake from its pan and allow to cool. Cut with a knife to form as you desire, if you desire. Cover with icing and decorate with gold leaf and boxwood. Gold leaf is edible and has no taste. However, pick the boxwood leaves off before eating as they are not edible. The boxwood's only purpose here is to be a pretty decoration. Enjoy!

[@braddishv3146]

Fantastic! I've decided to make this Sunday as it was extremely rainy down here in Upstate South Carolina over the 4th - our outdoor plans were cancelled so we are all getting together after church. Although - I will be omitting the raisins 🤣 and I have no idea how I would find boxwood leaves!

[@notsure2409]

That's a good idea!

[@TastySchu4]

Can you please share how you cook & bake using open fire? You are so talented and all your food comes out perfect! I'd love to know how you know what kind of fire you need, how you know when to move coals, how do you know to put coals on top, etc? You are truly thr greatest couple and I love you content 😊💕

[@LittleAnastasia...]

Did you use enough butter 😂

[@scook5599]

Hi Justine, I just reviewed the above "receipt". Looks like the directions in the video about covering the cake batter in the pans and letting the raise for an hour is missing.

[@fandoria09]

As this recipe was handed down in my family on my mother's side of her mother's side (mother to daughter), I still make this cake and not just for Independence. I have a 6× great grandmother who was born in 1776 and passed in 1872. Her mother made this cake for her daughter from her 1st birthday until she was 29 (before her passing when her daughter was 29 in 1843). I love the "old world" recipes that my grandmother's before me on both my parents' side had handed down for generations. Many came from France, England, Ireland, and Germany. Sadly, not one of my only 4 daughters wants the "heirloom" recipes. These precious pieces of family generation recipes stop with me. They will never continue on in the family, and that breaks my heart because these recipes are homemade, and most of the ingredients are starting to become harder and harder to find to even grow, let alone buy. I still have seeds given to me by my mother and father that were a part of their families "heirloom" gardens that they kept seeds from each herb, spice, and flower they'd grown to hand down for every generation to have and enjoy through the ages. I still have the rhubarb seeds my mother gave me from a farm we lived on for 6 years. I'm finally living in a place where I can actually grow my own garden like I've been wanting to for most of my adult life. I can't wait to be able to start to bring back the old ways of baking and cooking, even though I don't have a fireplace to use, I've never had a hard time adjusting my oven temperature or baking times. This cake is a very good sample of times past, and the flavors of the ingredients work extremely well together because they balance each other very well.

[@carolgladney9890]

I pray that you have grandchildren, because that is who wants to carry on our family traditions. My eldest grandson is so happy with all he knows. He and his girlfriend cook together. They are learning canning, jelly making and much more 💜☺️💜

[@thatgardeninggirl2864]

I'm 43 I have 3 sons (youngest is 19) I've never really cooked. My husband is a chef, but now that I'm older I LOVE to bake & make sweets I write everything down I hope one day my sons' will find and keep everything I've clipped or wrote down. ❤

[@xhibetzed]

Share your recipes outside of your family! They will be appreciated by many! :)

[@maryharvey6909]

Maybe you can write a book

[@coolmanfoochoo]

Ok so first. Love what you so lovingly., genuinely appreciate. Too many have forgotten or are kept from knowledge. Would you care to share, or sell, either recipes &/or heirloom seeds?? I was adopted, have no know siblings nor family- my adopted parents are both passed... I would love to have something so beautiful to share with my daughters & sons- (not trying to offend in any way) please know this. Doesn't hurt to ask- you would be sharing love, foods, knowledge, beautiful self.... please let me know. I think it is wonderful what you are doing!!!!

[@chrismcelligott5462]

A cake with wine and brandy in it. You're really celebrating Independence Day! 🎆

[@christyharrison2277]

Try drunk cake..

[@hr-hq8ji]

Won’t it just burn off in the heat?

[@rustythecrown9317]

She would have put live rounds in it then.

[@justkiddin84]

It will indeed lose its alcohol in the baking. It’s for the flavors.

[@LillyMunster85]

Ive said it before and ill keep saying it: the skill to cook (and more importantly bake!) over an open fire, in this day and age, is amazing. Yes of course shes had practice but im telling you...this sh*t is hard!!

[@Bellverine]

Not really the difference is not everyone has a huge plot of land and a bunch of money and second house to cook ...cooking everyone knows how to cook how to cook like her tho in her way is requires a hole house and firepit to start and the money for the equipment and cooking books

[@carlrudd1858]

@@Bellverine well, that was a mouthful. 🙂

[@kimgilson7903]

This looks similar to an election day cake. Has more of a bread like dough rather than a batter. I can see why that tradition might have died out... That cake is truly a labor of love to make!

[@EarlyAmerican]

My fellow historic food enthusiest (and I know that you are since you know what election cake is). Election Day Cake comes from the same book as this cake if I remember correctly (sorry if I'm mistaken). These sort of alcoholic fruit cakes were as common as vanilla or chocolate cakes today.

[@cezino10001]

Seems like Americans were richer in 1796 than now. How many cannot afford to buy a wine or cognac these days 🥹. And cooking skills? Common people, it’s so sad you cannot even feed yourselves anymore.

[@kareninalabama]

I love that you don't measure out the ingredients (at least, not on camera 😊), but instead, measure them as they presumably would have done when making this centuries ago. For example, you used a glass of wine that was apparently equivalent to the quarter cup called for. That's talent! ❤ P.S.- if you *do* use contemporary measuring utensils to pre-measure everything off camera, I don't want to know. I prefer to believe it's part of your talent. 😉

[@esmeraldablack2365]

My grandmother never measured. She cooked on a slow combustion stove. Even sponge cakes came out with no disasters without measuring.

[@claytonalexander7358]

Thank You for the recipe

[@dinerwaitress]

I worked at a museum where we learned to measure with hands and by eye, it works fine! 👍

[@Or_else_it_gets_the_hose_again]

Yes! My grandmother still cooks and measures by eye at 97 years old!

[@kathyschauer2114]

As a retired Chef I am amazed at what they had to decorate their cakes with. So many ingredients I would have thought would be so out of reach of the common folk. I guess I need to read some older recipes of the time. I’m good with a wood stove and I am really loving the education that you are giving me in Hearth cooking and baking.

[@e-nglish635]

Aren’t you surprised with highly poisonous boxwood leaves?

[@cherylparker7176]

Thank you, Justine! I love that you dont talk during these cooking videos. So peaceful just watching you...

[@esmeraldablack2365]

I recently came across your channel. I love that there is no talking as it makes you become fully immersed in watching what is going on. Love hearing the crackling of the fire. Love seeing recipes of the bygone era... simple, yummy food. Just wonderful.

[@margui6224]

The cake should be traditional again for the 4th of July. It looks amazing. Thank you Justine for the recipe. By the way, I love your apron and the cabin is nicely decorated. Love the flowers, too.

[@sammi2457]

My favorite parts of these videos, is when Justine is happy after making each meal/dessert🥹💕 its so wholesome lol💝

[@sharonnoble979]

This is a wonderful channel...so different from any I've seen! One of the most satisfying parts for me is the sound effects! No distracting music competing with it! Well done 👏 😊.The cake is a thing of beauty!

[@lisakay1006]

My favorite channel!! God bless America and God bless you all for an outstanding job,bringing back the history of baking!❤️🇺🇸💙✝️

[@EarlyAmerican]

Thank you so much !!!

[@femalism1715]

Wow!! I'm going to bake this receipt but I'm going to use the Stand Mixer and every modern kitchen tool in my stash. Good job Justine!

[@Marcel_Audubon]

haha! I was thinking about a whisk!

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Recipe not receipt.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

@@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288 receipt is the old timey word for recipe ... get with the program!

[@anam5099]

​@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288 yeah, I'm confused as to why the KZbinrs call it a receipt as well...

[@Marcel_Audubon]

@@anam5099 not that hard to figure out, dearie - they're trying to get into the spirit of the channel

[@aimee2234]

You look beautiful, cabin looks festive & that cake looks delish! I hope you celebrated like it's 1776! Have a blessed week! xoxo

[@taylorvanbuskirk8040]

I'm new to your channel. First...I LOVE your house! It is SO inviting! Second...I love you're patriotism and I LOVE your ability to survive the way our ancestors did. Wow!

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

That does look absolutely delicious. I have never heard of it before.

[@eyebleach1182]

I would love to experience living that way, no modern things, just making the most of what you have. I love how cozy your home is and how it was built to mirror the exact simplicity of early life.. All the things that's around the house and those that you use, even your whisk..

[@mikehoward8201]

This video brought back memories of my dad taking me as a kid to pick blackberries so my mom would make a blackberry cobbler in mid-July, every year as I was growing up! It was delicious. I also remember getting a chigger bite for every berry I picked! Ha ha.

[@zachkucera3793]

I always love that coy little smile when your cooking turns out perfect. A great grin of satisfaction. So wonderful!

[@carlrudd1858]

Watching her pour the softened butter, wine and brandy made me feel warm all over.

[@liamlowenthal8476]

I said it once, I'll say it again - I will never take my nonstick and silicone kitchenware for granted. Whenever I see the pots and pans and such in these videos, I just think "Oh my lord, it must be a pain to wash" XD

[@LadyVenus125]

I can't wait to bake this cake with my mother! Good job, Justine! Another fabulous receipt.

[@pbrn1729]

The cake looks amazingly delicious-thanks for the tip about the boxwood leaves- you could use mint leaves which are eatable! I love the gold leaf on the cake too 🩷

[@EarlyAmerican]

Boxwood leaves are not edible they are only there for deocration and need to be picked off while eating ^_^ the gold leaf is edible though and has no taste whatsoever.

[@seasonsofphilly1993]

Thanks for the tip on using mint leaves.

[@RaydricBloom]

​@EarlyAmerican phew I was wondering (worriedly) why there were boxwood on the cake. As far as I know every part of the shrub (leaves, sap, bark etc) is toxic to both humans and animals, especially cats and dogs. 😅 looks like a really nice cake though🎉

[@spinningjinn]

I was thinking you could use rosemary leaves, also. But the suggestion of mint leaves is better as they have a shape similar to boxwood.

[@singdancelady23]

Or Sage leaves

[@bonniemoon6790]

Cake turned out beautifully, the dough/batter looked like a fun texture, and it looked absolutely delicious, will have to try this next 4th of july. You did an amazing job decorating it too, im just sad this video didnt have sweet lil mish mish. Hope yall had a happy 4th :)

[@blondie7715]

I wonder if wild critters ever tried to get into the outdoor oven as that cake had to smell delicious 😋

[@Ameslan1]

Is that your Rooster I am hearing outside that attacked Justine and Ron? LOL

[@All.Spark.]

Wonderful job Justine. You were absolutely amazing making this beautifully patriotic cake. I will admit, I enjoyed quite a laugh at your clever wording when the bowl of the icing appeared. I loved it. ❤😂 Hope you all had a happy 4th friends.

[@rickilynnwolfe8357]

Oh my lord this is beautiful I so wanted to try a piece of that cake lol ! You put so much time and love into everything I love your life everything to your home to your clothing to your wonderful dishes . No sound going on but the birds and chickens to a crackling fire . Gives a person time to think and reflect on life . I loss my husband of 31 years last year to pancreatic cancer . Life is so different now I do long for piece wish I lived like you I do have a fireplace like yours and cook things in it time to time but let me tell you I do love my sink to wash dishes in todays world . God bless🤗

[@vpkgv9221]

This channel is absolutely amazing !! ❤❤Learning the early American civilizations and re collecting all the historic recipes - its a great wiki source for next gen in future - Great work !!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Marcel_Audubon]

That took some unexpected turns! but came out looking delicious!! I had to laugh at the original recipe calling for 20 lbs. of flour! 🤣 I guess they were making enough for the whole community

[@mollyd7727]

I was trying to imagine the bowl and the oven!

[@Josephinekhalaf]

I been watching you for sooo long and I’m blessed too have found your channel. ❤❤❤I can’t wait for the fall n winters already it’s been 104 here in Southern California and I miss the snow but can you believe it snowed here for two days this pass winter it was so beautiful reminded me of Oregon n the cold 🥶 I love winter ❄️ weather and sweaters . My mom taught us five kids how to make home made orange cake it’s my fav next to carrot cake 🍰. Hope you and Ron enjoyed your 4th of July sweeties . Your cake turned out so pretty! Give my love to Ron n mish mish 🐈‍⬛ I have four cats two of them are black other two gray. God bless you all

[@Ouroneacrefarm133]

This looks absolutely wonderful - something I would make for Christmas, although I think I would omit the citron and add some sliced almonds 🙂

[@paulagill555]

The cake looks wonderful,no independence day here but i still want to make the cake🤤.Thanks 🎆🎉👏.🇬🇧

[@debrawilliams9982]

I love the patriotic apron. Looks great, Happy Independence Day, to you and Ron.

[@PeppieP]

Must have had to have had money as these items wouldn’t have been affordable for all. Perhaps neighbors put money in together to buy the ingredients as 3 cakes could be made - I know you made it as one. A mighty fine cake too. Thanks for this Justine, such a lovely way to celebrate Independence Day - lets go all out for next year 😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@janhollis8979]

Love this cake, I can imagine how big it would have been from the original receipt. When you added the wine and brandy thought and now bourbon!😂

[@gayabele4]

After spending !my day dealing with 21st century plumbing problems this video was the perfect way to unwind. I could almost smell ahe cake as it came out of the oven...beautiful to look at too!

[@rcdoodles6214]

Thank you so much for all your work to make history come alive for us! What an interesting and historic cake recipe. Seeing you beat egg whites by hand makes me wonder…are you ever tempted to pull out an electric hand mixer off-camera?! 😊

[@user-yo3fj7qq1o]

Так оригинально украшен дом,интересно наблюдать за готовкой,классный канал,дальнейших вам успехов❤😊

[@LoriannSmithsanpell]

More cinnamon, because why not? My thoughts exactly! That cake looked amazing! My mouth started watering at the batter already! I agree. Bring it back!

[@outdoorprincess6617]

I recently found your channel and I absolutely love the work you do! Thank you for such amazing content

[@kb3716]

Absolutely stunning, Justine! I didn't realize boxwood was edible. I can only imagine how delicious the finished cake is. Yum, yum. A bring-back, indeed.

[@dolliedeishl5250]

Boxwood is not edible. It was used for decoration only and should be removed when serving it. The rest of the cake looks delicious though.

[@kb3716]

@@dolliedeishl5250 Thank you. All the more interesting a choice of garnishment, though.

[@heidyramirezelias]

I would like to thank you for your educational channel. My family really enjoys watching it, especially my father, who has dementia and is the only thing he seems to enjoy and watch 😮. Hope you keep doing more videos, and there are many people who love history. Many blessings for you and your family.

[@Stonebrick]

I so love this! What a comfort channel. I hope you had a lovely celebration!

[@crystalgrose]

The cake is so pretty! You did a wonderful job! So happy to have found your channel ♥️

[@chrisl7511]

Definitely what I would imagine an independence cake to be from that time. Everything you make always looks so delicious

[@mszuzubookitty4646]

It’s a 100 degrees here by July. I can’t imagine making anything on an open fire and no ac at that time of year. And she never breaks a sweat.

[@blondie7715]

I love watching you cook & bake & seeing the utensils you use (whisk) - it’s fascinating (& educational)!! Oh, and the various ingredients!! So much fun + relaxing. Thank you❣️❣️

[@jeffthornerg4609]

I like the sounds of the birds singing . I like the sound of the fire crackling . You remind me of home

[@nesaclark1059]

You did a fantastic job! Looks delicious!

[@sharronmitchell304]

Beautiful 😍 as usual Miss Justine you have out done yourself and done a brilliant job!! Love it!!

[@SouthernBellaHome]

Love this and love both of your channels!

[@gorgeouss79]

You make everything look so easy!!

[@danpatch4751]

As soon as you added the wine and brandy i knew it was going to be a good cake😊.

[@A.l85]

I love cakes like this. Simple, but delicious!🥰😋

[@CarlainMontana406]

What a beautiful cake! I loved the touch of boxwood for decorating…so pretty! This cake should be brought back…raisins, brandy and currants, delicious!! Thanks, Justine!

[@mariaboletsis3188]

Independence is BEAUTIFUL! Lovely job, Justine!

[@WaiferThyme]

Im loving the idea of,all the spices! Yum!

[@nancyl3843]

I love that cake! So beautiful and authentic!

[@cassidycouey2352]

This video helps out with stress I love your old time cooking videos!

[@richardlowman6918]

Wow, i never knew about that cake! Thank you! Enjoy your cake because you worked very hard and earned it. ❤

[@georgemacewan9674]

What a labor of love!! Your smile while tasting this masterpiece told me everything I need to know to compel me to try my hand at this one!!! Many thanks.

[@Julia___1]

Wow wonderful cake, amazing thanks for sharing this recipe with us❤

[@marnieenglish9400]

Absolutely fantastic vlog, thank you Justine x just watched you eat it lol x ❤

[@zebaishkitchen3779]

Looking so yummy and tasty and healthy 🤤😋 thanks for sharing my dear friend stay connected dear ❤❤❤🎉🎉❤

[@gloriafortes4159]

Happy 4th of july and thank you for the recepi it looks delicious 😋 😊

[@faithmorehouse5940]

Love the idea of bringing back this Tradition! 🌞

[@aditikulkarni5801]

I love how much efforts you put

[@lalAlyssa]

Just genuinely curious! I wonder what the gold leaf was made from? I thought it's a new trend with our cakes and pastries today so I was surprised to see an old recipe using it! I hope you reply because I am fascinated ❤ and thank you for the cozy and top-tier content as always ❤❤❤

[@annieweston3317]

My favorite recipe channel. Very relaxing and interesting watch. Young lady makes a graceful effortless chef ❤

[@Nintendofan-yk4cd]

Looks absolutely delish!

[@michellesampson1249]

Love this! Looks so delicious! ❤

[@MadiBendy]

I’m definitely going to try this again next year… I’m going to make it my goal to bring this beauty back into my family 🥰

[@karenmar1529]

Wow wine and brandy, I was trying to imagine what it would taste like but it's confirmed. Justine says it's delicious so good enough for me. Thank you for sharing the receipt. 🤗

[@craigbush2138]

Had to look up citron. It's a very interesting fruit.

[@carolinesantos8177]

Wow !! I definitely have to make this cake it looks delicious 😋

[@phantomwheeler81]

that cake looks awesome

[@roseweed1468]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@roseweed1468]

@christopherjohnson4356 My good fellow, I am Angela by name. An American woman who is far too old and absolutely exhausted with scammers trying to connect with her online. Perhaps you might find something less dishonest to do with your time. I have no intention of telling you how I know that you're a scammer because I want you to remain as blatantly obvious as possible, so you have no luck in taking money from someone who worked hard for it. Please reconsider your life path. You come off as a loser.

[@HopeInGodEvangelism]

What a lovely cake...Beautiful Independence Cake😊

[@FrankKnight8846]

Wow 😊 that looks so delicious. Happy Independence Day ❤🇺🇸

[@user-pk2jl8kf1d]

I would love to own a cook book with these recipes I love cooking ❤

[@Leelee...]

Gorgeous cake!!

[@staceystar2984]

Beautiful Job ! I Will Have To Try This Cake.

[@bettylavergne3410]

Very pretty and looks delicious!

[@balcster]

I agree! I am in. Thanks for sharing

[@monicaphillips2730]

Very easy and quick cake love this recipe must try for me well done (by passing all that creaming of butter and sugar) love it❤

[@HalfLatinaJoy86]

I'm going to try to remember to make this cake next year! Looks so tasty!! I'll probably fill the layers though with homemade jam. 😍

[@Motaki666]

This looks so tasty!! I don't know why but I'm alsways surprised seeing old reciped with so much sugar and spices in them. Is this something most people could have made or only upper classes?

[@tinagriffith841]

Whoa! That cake recipe is huge! Ready to feed a village with a cake that size.

[@risingsun49]

I love your cabin and your outdoor oven is great!

[@dianesavant2818]

Great job! The cake looks delicious!!!!!

[@spinningjinn]

Beautiful! And so different. Thanks again for another great video. I watch as much to see your fabulous serving ware as to learn about historic receipts. BTW, where did you find citron? I haven't been able to find it at the local stores, and have had to use a substitute in my Christmas pfeffernusse. It just isn't the same!

[@cherokeedancer8448]

Love this video and I'm going to attempt this cake. We need to take tradition back. Thank you ❤

[@stevenvaldezii7936]

Thank you for the consistent videos

[@jamesellsworth9673]

This is a FINE cake. You decorated it nicely!

[@josiecardenas4440]

The cake looks so pretty , God bless you stay safe thank you for sharing .

[@davidmarlajurek5038]

This will be my flag cake next year!!! Looks so yummy!!!! Wish I’d seen this recipe last week!!!

[@user-so6iy8qe7d]

마음이 평화로워져요 이 채널을 알게되서 너무 좋아요😊

[@lindareinking5326]

Thank you Justine. Looks good❤❤