How to Make Gingerbread Cake - The Victorian Way

📖 Order your copy of Mrs Crocombe’s cookery book here: bit.ly/2RPyrvQ 📖
Today we're in for a real treat. Mrs Crocombe is making one of her favourite recipes - a cheap and delicious Gingerbread Cake.
Visit Mrs Crocombe's kitchen: bit.ly/2IsfScC
INGREDIENTS
500g flour
200g butter (salted, or add a generous pinch of salt to compensate if unsalted)
200g brown sugar
500g black treacle
10-15g ginger
3 small eggs (or two large)
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
A little warm milk
METHOD
Start by creaming the butter (stirring or beating the butter until it is a smooth, creamy and a uniform texture). Then, add the sugar and spice, ensuring that you mix them in well. Beat the eggs briefly before also adding to them to the mix.
Add flour a little at a time, mixing well between each handful. Pour in the black treacle as you go. A little warm water can be used to get the last of the black treacle out of the bowl. Then, add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda to the warm milk before pouring it into the middle of the bowl and mixing everything together.
Once the mixture is smooth, line a tin with butter and brown paper before pouring the mixture in. Place in the oven for about an hour at 180 degrees Celsius (an inserted knife or skewer should come out clean once the cake is cooked). Once ready, turn out the cake and leave it to cool, then cut into small pieces to serve. For decoration, try dusting with a little plain icing sugar or dipping the cake pieces in some fondant icing.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR KZbin CHANNEL: goo.gl/c5lVBJ
FIND A PLACE TO VISIT: goo.gl/86w2F6
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: goo.gl/Un5F2X
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: goo.gl/p1EoGh
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: goo.gl/PFzmY5

[@EnglishHeritage]

As always, thank you for watching! We’ve answered some of your FAQs below: WHY IS MRS CROCOMBE USING HER HANDS TO COMBINE THE MIXTURE INSTEAD OF A SPOON? ISN’T THAT UNHYGIENIC? Assuming they have been thoroughly washed first, mixing by hand is perfectly fine. The Victorians were well aware of food hygiene, even if they hadn't entirely realised what germs were. In fact, many books of the time recommend mixing with your hand as it's easier and quicker than mixing with a spoon. IS MRS CROCOMBE WEARING A NEW DRESS? Yes, well spotted! Servants were often given bolts of cloth as presents from their employers on Boxing Day, and then made their own dresses (full disclosure: Kathy did not make hers - we use a specialist costumier!). Sometimes each department (kitchen, laundry, dairy, etc) had specifically coloured gowns so that the housekeeper could tell at a glance if someone was where they should not be. By the 1880s, the housemaids who had regular contact with the family and their visitors usually wore uniforms, but often the back of house staff did not. (Find out more about what the real Mrs Crocombe wore in our behind-the-scenes video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6SaiGacibFroc0) CAN I USE MOLASSES INSTEAD OF TREACLE? DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS? In the UK you can buy dark treacle. Elsewhere, liquid molasses works, though blackstrap is the closest substitute. You can also use a lighter treacle or syrup but the result won’t be as delicious. WHY DID MRS CROCOMBE TASTE THE GINGERBREAD BUT NOT THE OTHER RECIPES? Most of the recipes Mrs Crocombe cooks in these videos are for the family, and as a general rule small missing chunks would not exactly further her employment prospects. She generally knows what her recipes taste like (and, in 2019, we cook them regularly as part of the live interpretation in the kitchens) meaning tasting isn’t usually required. However, dishes also needed to be presentable, occasionally leaving small off-cuts that wouldn’t just be left to go to waste.

[@svenmooseful]

I will defend Mrs Crocombe's honor and cookmanship! Many contemporary cookbooks had the cook use the hands when creaming butter and sugar -- the warmth of the cook's hands would help soften the butter, ensuring the maximum amount of air could be beaten into it, making the cake light. Also the fingers serve a similar function to the loops on a whisk: each one drags a separate trail of air though the batter, while a spoon carves only one path through it. So the fingers more thoroughly aerate the butter, and faster, plus if it's warm it's less likely the batter will 'split' when the dry ingredients and liquids are added. Before reliable chemical leaveners became widely available (baking soda was first sold in 1846), thorough incorporation of air into butter or eggs was the only way to leaven non-yeasted goods, and even if you're using a leavener, the butter must be thoroughly aerated for a light cake. Eggs are runny enough to be beaten easily with a whisk, but whisking a big chunk of butter is difficult, and whisking a heavy cake batter like this would be impossible without a very large whisk.

[@FunSizeSpamberguesa]

Mixing by hand hung on for a long time. My grandmother grew up and the Depression and always mixed things by hand, and taught me to as well -- but not until I'd just about scrubbed my hands raw, including under my fingernails. I wonder, given how busy servants were, when did they have time to make their own dresses? Mrs. Crocombe's is simple, but everything was made by hand back then.

[@1234567rek]

If you britishers use your hands it's hygienic, but if we Indians do it's unhygienic, lol! No matter every cook washes their hands before they cook

[@EllyFLuft]

@@1234567rek There might be cultural custom around clean hands in India. As an American, I've always been taught to cream my butter and sugar with a spoon. Unless, you're talking about racist people criticizing Indians for mixing with hands, then I'm sorry.

[@user-ej2gg2re9q]

💜💔💙💖💚💜💔💙💖💚💜💔💙💖💚💜💔💙💖💚💜💙💖💚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚

[@toxicperson8936]

I love how this character became so iconic. They probably thought they were just going to educate people about how servants lived during the 1800s. They never expected to create the shadiest queen on KZbin

[@foreverinbloom14]

Wilson Sc.Jordan well the main chef for this rich family she was probably doing Ok. I believe the real mrs crocombe was paid as well.

[@apumivak]

Servants and slaves aren't the same thing...

[@sammiconley]

@@foreverinbloom14 pretty much everyone was paid i believe. But she definitely was paid better and it’s a respected position she held.

[@bobbbxxx]

Totally! I love her! She's got just enough attitude to throw around.

[@aliciablack1254]

Makes me wonder if the real Mrs C was so sassy 😂

[@PfirsichmuffinxD]

So nobody’s gonna talk about how Mrs. Crocombe is rocking that new dress?! 👀🥰

[@lisawillis8227]

Ch. she looks faaaabbuuulous

[@lindapowers4929]

Was just going to say the same.

[@SkySilverFire]

Somebody got lovely new fabric from this past Christmas!

[@noctisowl347]

Ch. Omg I didn't even notice until I saw your comment, she's rocking it. The real queen of England✊🏻

[@lincky_lloyd]

i didn't notice! lemme replay the vid!!!

[@spotellis]

5:37 “Im going to serve this to the top servants table, the one that myself and Mrs.Warwick sit on.” DANG Ms.Crocombe just flexed hard on all those lower servants.

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

@TheSapphireDragon1 Dang, lower servants be eating better than all of us.

[@rainbowisnotemo]

@@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices yeah

[@angelgirl7473]

She should have said “sit AT, not ON” I can almost picture her and Mrs Warwick sitting there swinging their legs back and forth enjoying the cake while the lower servants sit at their lower tables watching

[@joshualau4070]

@@angelgirl7473 "This cake is well loved by all the servants, too bad they're not having any" (eats cake whole)

[@angelgirl7473]

@@joshualau4070 *s* lol true

[@YoungKim-mz6jp]

I always start these videos off like "oh yah, butter, I have that. Milk? No problem!" And then she's like the crushed horn of a unicorn on a full moon and the goddam eyelashes of Quetzalcoatl and I'm like " I- "

[@MorganChaos]

i thought molasses (the american equivalent of treacle) was one of those things everyone bought and the jar lasted you ten years because you use it so rarely

[@jdicarlo77]

same 🤣

[@Meep55412]

I don't know anyone who has molasses on hand. Closest I got is maple syrup. lol

[@thesandman7786]

@@Meep55412 could also use golden syrup

[@Aadi_Varaah]

😁😁😁😁😁. You are forgetting the venom of Besilisk, milk of three leged toad, tears of a mermaid

[@intricatelytangled]

Dang! Only the Top Servants get Ginger Cake?!? The shade continues . .. Lol!

[@NikkiSimmons]

hahaha I thought this too!!

[@snehalaiwale4653]

So cruel

[@josephwood1532]

Her face when she says "delicious" is straight savage

[@TampaBrandiCK]

Notorious Mrs. C! Throwing shade like an oak tree!

[@thehermit8618]

@@josephwood1532 i imagine she said it right in the face of a lower servant she doesn't like very much

[@wattenslaafje1825]

I love love love the small comments inbetween on the society. West/East Indies, the reduxed taxes thing. It adds so much to the immersion and zeitgeist 😍

[@Hanklerfishies]

It really sucks actually because she mentioned the sugar trade but not the violent history of it

[@petalk95]

Zenymn a servant wouldn’t mention that. She’s playing a character of the time

[@SpiritBear12]

@@Hanklerfishies The main part of the video is the recipe and the making of the Ginger Cake, not a massive history lesson, she only has so many minutes to make a video. If you know the history of the sugar trade then don't worry about it. Don't be a Debbie Downer.

[@pimketss]

she tip toed around slavery nicely

[@Hanklerfishies]

@@SpiritBear12 "she" doesn't exist. It's not like she makes the videos. I just wish there had been some text at the end that explained sugar's violent history.

[@MiaLopezdevos]

I just realized that not only is Ms. C cooking for the lord and lady and their guests, but behind the scenes, she also has a whole kitchen she needs to manage to feed the staff of the estate and I think I get why she is so stern and snarky at times haha

[@SharpAssKnittingNeedles]

Thus the pounds of butter a day 🤪

[@guymorris6596]

Well I'll hire her to provide services, cooking and baking, at my Italian or British estate, should I ever win a large lottery jackpot. I will leave the US, never to return, with the exception of visits.

[@Mr666walter666]

And this cake isn't going to the Lord and Lady Bradenbrook, either. While it apparently isn't good enough for them, I want to make this recipe anyway.

[@Janay23]

I wonder if there was ever a time where Ms. Crocombe thought: "If Lord and Lady BrayBrooke do not fancy this meal, they can most certainly, catch these hands" 🤔

[@thetillerwiller4696]

Janay23 I’ve bet she has thought that 😂

[@lettynamang5444]

It sounds like her njdhdhdhdhd

[@opwave79]

LOL

[@dana.a.15]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@judithburke1539]

The lady of the house would often have input with the head cook on what was to be served for meals and including the various likes and dislikes of her guests. Keeping track of these things would be important.

[@klausoshaunacey8429]

When I hear her say those glorious words “for this recipe, you will need...” I get excited to be transported back to Victorian England

[@evaskjerd]

Klaus O'Shaunacey Me too!! I just love this accent♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@karennelson4439]

Please put out a box set of DVDs of Mrs Crocombs!!!@!

[@lindathrall5133]

THE WORD WILL CAN BE EXCLUDED

[@picantesworld7723]

I know and then she gives that little look and poise with her head. 🙂

[@inthemixx8664]

"Eggs from home, sugar from the West Indies, and spice from the East Indies." Meanwhile my eggs came from Dollar Tree, sugar from Walmart, and spice from Save-A-Lot... *sigh* I'm just a peasant...

[@drecellthealive8912]

Your spice is still probably from India or the Arabics, since those are the big spice producers of the world. Talking ginger, or even cinnamon, they would be very hard to produce in the US and impossible in the UK due to climate! So yeah, international all the same!

[@invisiblelocket4994]

InTheMixx866 ? But where did they get it from? Maybe you’re less of a peasant than you think :) (btw what kind of maniac buys eggs from dollar tree?)

[@covishen]

@@invisiblelocket4994 I've bought eggs from Dollar Tree before and actually they aren't bad. They are close to the expiration date and medium sized, but perfectly acceptable eggs. :)

[@tariqali5213]

These words show the imperialism of the British empire..they get the best from the world specially from the colonies...

[@wstevenbrown]

Dollar tree does seem a bit expensive for eggs. Aldi has had them much cheaper than that.

[@salem2702]

"After it's been in the oven for a few hours-" *takes it out with her hands.* Never mess with a baker. She's horrifying and so comforting at the same time.

[@w.lester255]

🤣🤣 Her hands just be that way

[@LyhusBlue]

To be completely honest, my grandma used to get cakes out of the oven with her bare hands. She obviously didn't carry them around for long, just the quick 1~2 seconds from the oven to the table, but to this day I'm still amazed.

[@bvillebikelady3651]

That's how Mrs Crocombe do.

[@samanthawiegel4008]

"This gets served to the TOP service table, the one I sit on." You get it, Mrs. Crocombe. Deserving that ginger cake, woman!

[@Withoutasoul6]

my mind says ginger cake mix but my heart says mud cakes I made outside when I was 7

[@jofriko5416]

ur funny cherrybonbon

[@catiaVanPT]

As I was watching I was thinking the exact same thing lmao I had a "bakery", my cakes were "baked" on my dad's barbecue grill, and I always topped them with fine sugar (sand). Miss those days xD

[@katcoe1079]

Haha mine thought 'bowl of poo' .. spent to many years in health care lol

[@skylarhollows7917]

I just have to say, you're really pretty 💕

[@Koiiru0-0]

Same

[@sherleystansford]

I see Mrs.CROCOMBE in the thumbnail I click it asap😍!!!

[@Wrenchcool]

have to go to bed...see the lady on the tumb...me: i dont give a fuck my bed can wait this 5 minutes 😝 😝 😝

[@pixiehopper8]

Sherley stansford me too! I was in the middle of another video, saw this, and clicked out of the other one immediately! 😂

[@vesta1711]

Sherley stansford me too!

[@sherleystansford]

@@Wrenchcool 🤣🤣

[@fennecfox8623]

Ditto!!!

[@cassandra2986]

2:12 no one talking about that “oop”

[@lilbaddie4502]

that's what i'm about to say😂

[@MrJbee1982]

She probably messed something up and had to cut the scene lol

[@dalemcilwain]

"Just happy accidents" - Bob Ross

[@beeboodeeedo4753]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh I'm blessed

[@beeboodeeedo4753]

@@dalemcilwain ahhahhaha I can't with you alll

[@ameli_meme9698]

Well I get my eggs from aldi.... spices from aldi.... and. .... My ginger from aldi.... What an international cake I made too😂

[@herzamhollerzweig1323]

ALDI is a typical German supermarket

[@DK-tq8ql]

🤣

[@Religious_man]

lmao

[@Jk53121]

Aldi is life 😛 I’m out of ginger and thinking of running there just to get it bc it’s soo much cheaper.

[@cmcolemanhome]

This minute I saw the notification I rushed to watch this. I would love to see an entire series about Mrs Crocombe. Her entire "life", day, everything.

[@angelrobertson3692]

CM Coleman Home: recipes and lifestyle i think they’re already is an episode about her ☺️

[@cmcolemanhome]

@@angelrobertson3692 They did, I just want to see it as a series. With way more.

[@angelrobertson3692]

CM Coleman Home: recipes and lifestyle definitely. It would be a great tv series to watch. Just all about her life 😁

[@cxarli]

CM Coleman Home I second the motion. I’d love to see a day in the life of the Audley End kitchen!

[@manuelmendoza6716]

@@cxarli there's ur title =] Audley End

[@Sarah-Sunshine95]

I love the little details about the house, the tax reduction etc, makes it feel so much more real!

[@brianh5609]

dang youre cute

[@AliciaNyblade]

I happened to have all the ingredients in my cupboard for this and so I made it today. Mrs. Crocombe is right; it's a truly delightful cake. Wonderfully rich in flavor yet surprisingly light in texture. My family loved it, too. Thank you so much. For my fellow Americans who want to try the recipe, here are the measurements I used: 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter, softened 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 1/2 to 2 t. ginger, to taste (I used 2) 2-3 eggs, beaten 2 cups flour 2 cups molasses (or treacle) 1 t. baking soda 1/4 cup warm milk Prepare the batter as Mrs. Crocombe instructs and bake at 350 degrees F. I baked mine in an 8X8 square pan and it took an hour and ten minutes, but your time may vary of course.

[@dianeosther6471]

Thank you. I am going to try this.

[@wendymoyer782]

I was going to comment, that if anyone has never tried this type of gingerbread recipe, they really need to, as it is delicious!

[@mariasequeira6008]

Thanks for the baking temperature and pan size - most useful ❤

[@astral_ghost]

You guys seriously helped me figure out a topic for my sensory history final. I get to make some Victorian Era desserts and present them to my class and professor in a few days! Keep up the radical work! Update: My final went really well!! I'm very grateful for the historians on this channel because every other Victorian recipe I have found in books is a direction copy and I'm very bad with estimating the varied measurements(like a pinch vs a dash).

[@nicoleb695]

I'm late to this but I'm so glad you did well! Hopefully you find success in the world ^.^

[@carolinaamin6874]

My name is Carolina and i'm a Crocombeholic.

[@alicecheshire2672]

Carolina Amin your name is beautiful

[@redsquirrel6131]

I read that as "Crocom-baholic..." Lord I need some sleep 😂

[@lucykat4209]

This made me shake😂

[@melynnejimenez8242]

Hi Carolina 😂😂😂

[@lilydemoyano5485]

Hello Carolina.

[@fictionalbeauty]

Me: Hmm, maybe it's time to get off KZbin and have a nap. Also me: *sees Mrs Crocombe and immediately opens video*

[@littlesnuggle529]

I found this channel maybe 45 minutes ago (How To Make Butter the Victorian Way was the first one I found) and holy shit, all of these videos make me indescribably happy. The professional way they're presented, the personalization of every video, the way the person interacts with the audience - it's all so perfect and heartwarming. This is the kind of thing that I would come to watch if I were feeling horribly lonely and I wanted a nice, patient, very well dressed motherly figure to speak softly to me while making delicious and simple food in a descriptive fashion that makes me feel included and wanted even though I'm not even there

[@cdrshernandez1164]

They better be paying this actress well cause she’s the reason this channel is still up lmao😭😭

[@Steve-Owens]

So people are coming to my channel from this LOL it must be my demonstration how to make Treacle LOL what a wonderful series, glad to have it bought to my attention..

[@Steve-Owens]

Dear Mrs Crocombe, I am sure you might have not, from experience, used your hands to mix a treacle cake, there is an old English saying, "sticks like treacle to a blanket", or a variant there of. With access to numerous wooden spoons this is not a dish suited to hand mixing, getting dark Treacle off your hands is harder than Tar off your boots. Just my thoughts, with respect ;o)

[@dougedoug2105]

If I had to touch treacle with my hand, then the dish would be short one ingredient! I’d bet you that treacle is no different from shellfish in that it takes days to wash off the residual. No gracious

[@kirstenpaff8946]

These videos are so wonderfully relaxing. Thank you for these little nuggets of happiness, English Heritage!

[@cindyw5606]

Yes!!

[@anshulkrishnadasbhagwat962]

Same

[@anshulkrishnadasbhagwat962]

Same

[@Queenrojas92]

Omg yes i literally fall asleep to her 😍😍😍😊

[@InjectMeSomeGlitter]

Yes and I dont even know why??? Is it because she looks so relax and enjoying it?

[@portablethunderstorm2478]

No one: Mrs. Crocombe: this is quite a 👀 cheap 👀 ginger cake

[@Rasmia_Oxford]

Every time Mrs. Crocombe has something to say about “poor people”, “not very good”, she looks right into your eyes.

[@PLuMUK54]

The poor lower servants, seeing that plate on the high table and not getting even a crumb.

[@karensiegel6669]

That is just painful to hear. Poor dears!

[@gnm8062]

Why I laugh so hard more than I should? 😂😂😂

[@velocifero4167]

Oh I think they got crumbs. Literally

[@hsmacaraig]

Veloci Fero Or the leftovers. Mrs. Crocombe did say they got the leftovers from dinner.

[@forrestforyou]

Veloci Fero 😂😂

[@MissGood]

It's almost exactly my grandmoms soft gingerbread cake ! Called "mjuk pepparkaka" in Swedish, where we are from. It's also my favorite cake ever 😁

[@angko-pe]

Jag tycker den liknar på nått jag kallar marknadspepparkaka. Sååå gott!

[@viewhue]

Except that would have less ginger, but an addition of cinnamon and cloves, right? I much prefer the Swedish gingerbread to the English - ginger bread in England is a lot spicier, but doesn't have as much flavour.

[@MissGood]

@@viewhue Yes exactly! It's equal amounts of ginger, cinnamon and cloves in her recipe! :)

[@nilaphillips3500]

i always liked the ginger cake, but being half indian thought more of those spices could add an extra dimension, like the lebukshken-i think thats how its spelt...i love those little soft cakey biscuits, with apricot jam in the middle they are in my opinion sooo much nicer than dry gingerbread men.

[@ZimVader-0017]

We have something similar here called "cuca". It has a lot of ginger, cloves, cinnamon, lemon peels and molasses. The spices are boiled then the liquid that is left over is mixed with flour. The butter and eggs are mixed in at the end, then it's baked and cut into squares. It goes amazing with coffee.

[@alexanderagudelo4215]

Thank you Mrs Crocombe. We prepared the Gingerbread Cake and it was simply addictive, quite delicious. However, the baking temperature was not mentioned in the video, so I would suggest to bake it at 350 °F for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Regards... :)

[@greggschroeder]

Did the Victorians have toothpicks? They may have used buttonhooks.

[@judithburke1539]

They may have had slender wooden sticks, but this information is for making the cake today, not then.

[@Jk53121]

Thank you!

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

At 6:05, when she pauses with that last piece in her hand, the look on her face let's you know THAT piece will not make it to the "head servants table;" and then , when she does indulge, I mean taste test for quality, the look n her face is priceless! Viva la Crocombe, Viva la Hipperson!

[@AndreaHee]

I'll take watching Mrs. Crocombe over any fancy modern cooking show. I loved all the extra little tidbit of information - besides the cake sounds really delicious :)

[@lilykiss1145]

I swear, the other day I was reading a recipe, it started by "for this recipe, you will need", I heard Mrs Crocombe in my head, and I felt like the whole thing was victorian way, when it was actually cinnamon rolls... I absolutely need to try this gingerbread recipe ! The one I have doesn't have any treacle in it !

[@rgbsax]

wait! There's no liquor in the recipe, something's wrong LOL

[@xingyu1386]

rgbsax the point she added warm water I was like “r u sure u don’t mean brandy” xD

[@bun04y]

She was making this for the servants. no liquor for them

[@Rotationbug]

hahaahahaah I swear she put brandy into all her bakings

[@beth8775]

Brandy would be a delicious addition. Also, top it with whipped cream. I love gingerbread cake.

[@Nimesay1]

😂😂

[@user-jg9rp5qf4g]

"What are you doing Saturday night?" Me: "Sitting in the dark with a gin and tonic binge-watching Mrs. Crocombe in HD."

[@Menuki]

Soooooo…..are you single?

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

Sounds like a good idea

[@skwlwt0nb0nes69]

Lol 6:00 to 6:16 is so DANG fuuunnnny "Mmmmm, delicious " * gives me the side eyes*

[@geraldinelewis8314]

Shes like, " Yeah, you wish you can have some of this gingerbread cake. You lowly servent."😂

[@velocifero4167]

She makes me feel like such a peasant

[@nurshoman5196]

Tbh idk if when she said "mmmmmmm, delicious" was being all shady that we can't taste her delicious cakes beacuse we're peasants or that she was being forced to say that and shereally DOES NOT like the cakes and honestly i like both options😂

[@ayannah9366]

The OCD side of my brain is always yelling “SCRAPE EVERYTHING OFF!” when I watch her transfer ingredients

[@ludwigvanbeethoven5176]

and thats why i hate molasses or treacle lol WONT GET OFF THE BOWL OR UTENSIL IM USING }:(

[@josephrice6807]

IKR? Big pet peeve of mine on cooking shows.

[@corettaha7855]

Pastiche she hasn’t got a spatular

[@felicityguillen]

OCD is a mental illness.

[@vukkulvar9769]

@@ludwigvanbeethoven5176 Use your fingers :D

[@spotellis]

I still find it really cool that this was an actual house and Mrs. Crocombe was a real person and these are real recipes from her!

[@aitakemi]

"This cake is really well loved by all the servants. TOO BAD THEY'RE NOT HAVING ANY!"

[@wickandde]

Yayyy! Thank you English Heritage! Please, please don't make us wait long for the next one, I still want to know what happened to the second gardener you know.

[@user-oj5bw7sl8p]

Agreed! Such a pleasant young gentleman,- isn't he?

[@wickandde]

@@user-oj5bw7sl8p An exceedingly pleasant young man indeed!

[@gangurobitch]

He was killed for being lazy and Mrs. Crocombe made his body into stew.

[@deninevh]

3-4 lbs of butter *a day*? Wow. And I need to know what the lower servants eat. :-D

[@oldasyouromens]

Remember, they didn't have olive oil or canola oil or anything of the sort. The only options for fat were butter, suet, and lard. So butter was used very frequently for everything--baking, sauteeing, frying, serving. And with that many people in the house (about 30 or more, I'd say) I'm not at all surprised.

[@kachow3255]

@Fat Earther 😂😂

[@ThePotato131]

@grace law I wonder how healthy they were? Really curious. Everyone is obsessed with olive oil, but they didn’t have it, and people vilify butter and lard.

[@oldasyouromens]

@@ThePotato131 Quite healthy, actually, due to the amount of manual labor they had to do. Surviving for yourself, much less a house full of other people, took a LOT of calories, and servants were supplied with decent amounts of protein and veg as well, unless their employers were horrible. People like the Braybrookes who took little exercise would start to have troubles at some point, but they also ate far less processed sugar and sodium than we do now, and had more control over their diets as almost everything was produced locally.

[@oldasyouromens]

@@ThePotato131 The problems for servants would be things like backaches, spinal degeneration in the neck, bursitis (housemaid's knee), arthritis, and chemical burns on the skin from lye soap. The only issue I can think of that would be dietary-related is Vit D deficiency, especially in the country (in the city it's another story, what with the smog and less access to fresh food)

[@ٴٴٴٴ_0]

Poor Edgar will never get anywhere near Mrs. Crocombe's gingerbread cake

[@georginabardner]

These food making videos remind me of my work experience when i was 15. I went to a museum and basically acted alongside someone like Mrs Crocombe as a maid, but much a scarier one and based around the setting of the workhouses. Every morning i changed into my maid's dress. I did the same role play about 5 times, cutting up vegetables and frying pancakes on a pan on a fire. It was so surreal being in that experience all day and then walking the 10 minutes home back to normal life.

[@211Shinobu]

Ok, Americans, I put the ingredients in a recipe converter: 3.9 cups unsifted all purpose flour 1.75 sticks salted butter 1 cup brown sugar 1.4 cups molasses 4-6 teaspoons ground ginger 3 small eggs or 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon baking soda a little warm milk I can't attest to its accuracy, but I'm going to try it anyway. www.convert-me.com/en/convert/cooking/ EDIT: The converted recipe worked! I halved it and baked it in an 8x8 pan for ~30 min. I used about 1/4 cup milk.

[@isabellelaval7294]

WOW!! This is a priceless link!! Thanks very much!

[@211Shinobu]

@@isabellelaval7294 You're welcome!

[@asylum01vid]

211Shinobu Thank you for giving me the size of your pan and your baking time. I'm just about to make it and was wondering if my 8x8 inch pan would work. I'm also doing a half recipe.

[@211Shinobu]

@@asylum01vid How did it turn out?

[@asylum01vid]

211Shinobu The cake turned out great. I used fancy molasses instead of blackstrap because it was the only kind I had at the time. It's just a bit too sweet on its own, but was quite good when served with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. I plan to make this again once I get my hands on some blackstrap molasses. I often make only a half, third or quarter recipe, so I'm used to a bit of experimentation when I bake, but I really appreciated knowing what amount of milk, pan size and baking time would actually work. Thanks again for trying it first.

[@laurametheny1008]

Oh yeah! Add a dollop of clotted cream Mrs. C and I'll see you at the table! Thankyou and everyone have a lovely Easter!🇬🇧🐇🐥😘💐🇺🇸

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

It is Easter, isn't it? Where's the Simnel Cake, Mrs. Crocombe?

[@isabellelaval7294]

@@fabrisseterbrugghe8567 what is a simnel cake? We don't have that in France.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

@@isabellelaval7294 It's a British cake traditional for Mothering Sunday and/or Easter. It has marzipan ovoids on top. I know it's traditional. I've seen a couple of recipes, but I still don't know how to actually make it.

[@dcardigan13]

3:05 "you could use..." a spoon? "... A lighter colored treacle." Ah.

[@jamestsindos946]

exactly what i thought lmfao

[@itachimistress]

Stirring around that Covid-19 into that mix lol

[@user-pi3hd2bt3f]

@Judy G a very thick sugar syrup

[@fuckwit107]

My step gran used to make a spectacular ginger cake. Served with cold butter spread on top, absolutely delightful.

[@shantanupanda1650]

Its Saint Hilda... I mean Mrs crocombe!

[@cxarli]

shantanu panda It’s Saint KATHY! Our favorite historical recreator!

[@bb22602]

No no no - It's St. Mrs. Crocombe. And she has a new dress!

[@cheryl8466]

I was just going to say something about this! Lol

[@gerardacronin334]

Saint Hilda has left the convent!

[@Quaronna]

😁lol

[@karahoffer5641]

i’m a simple girl. I see Mrs Crocombe, I click. Always loving the videos!

[@DottyGale8]

karaboobies No. You’re a smart girl! You know quality videos! 😊

[@tonick2208]

This whole aesthetic is so relaxing~

[@ejassi3425]

Mrs. Crocombe is ASMR! Everything here is ASMR! Her accent,her voice,the gingerbread cake,the palace,the music and the old utensil equipments and the kitchen and especially the actress herself ❤️ PS:I want to go back at Victorian Era

[@Textile_Courtesan]

Omg, she's got on a new dress! Lovely colour!

[@sammyjolea5989]

I love these videos and I'm always wanting more... What were the Lord and Lady like? How did the menu planning go? I need at least an hour long video!

[@FrugalOverFifty]

Agree. I'd take a full series!

[@staninsertkpopgroup1181]

Mrs Crocombe: *takes a bite of the cake* her body: *sHIver Me tHImBerS*

[@MELMUR4564]

My grandmother makes this with a lemon sauce at thanksgiving. Love it!

[@isabellelaval7294]

Melmur4564 would you share your granny's recipe for this lemon sauce, pl?

[@MELMUR4564]

Isabelle Laval 1c sugar 2c boiling water 2 Tbs of butter 3 Tbs of flour 2 tsp of lemon flavoring ( or lemon zest to taste) 1/4 tsp salt Mix the sugar, salt, flour (and zest is using) then add boiling water and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and add butter and lemon extract (if using) store in the fridge. I like to warm up the sauce before using on the ginger cake.

[@isabellelaval7294]

@@MELMUR4564 thank you so much. I don't think I can wait until Thanksgiving to try it! I live in France and I'm not too sure my French husband will like ginger cake but I'll make it for myself and for my daughter. Thank you so much for your kindness in sharing a family recipe.

[@wattenslaafje1825]

*Drops everything* The notification’s quite on time again 😊

[@melmoel488]

Watten Slaafje me too!

[@Phoenix684]

This episode was awesome. Love how they told where the spices are from and included history about the taxes...

[@user-jz2xr2gd6f]

"this cake is really loved by the servants" proceeds to stare at the depths of her audience

[@apis1156]

I actually made this with a friend last night. It tasted way better than I had expected! No wonder its going to the top table..

[@RochelletheRealtor]

Chef John and Mrs. Crocombe uploading on the same day! Heaven!!!

[@AliciaNyblade]

Yes! A fellow Food Wishes fan! Love that channel. I seriously make a recipe of his at least once a week, if not more, and they've all been great. I'd love a crossover. I don't know how they'd do it, but it would be fantastic to see. I can almost hear Chef John now, "You are, after all, the Mrs. Crocombe of . . ."

[@artfulflower]

Stop the presses! Stop everything! Mrs. Crocombe is back with another relaxing recipe!

[@cathygas5415]

Delightful way of baking, speaking, explaining the life at that time! How elegant you are! Thank you.

[@psychobetha]

yay! for once i actually have all of the ingredients on hand. going to make this tonight to take to my sister’s for our family date to watch hamilton tomorrow 😁 (using molasses instead of treacle, because american 🤷🏼‍♀️) edited to add: ok dangit, i don’t have enough molasses. thankfully i do have a wonderful grocery not too far away that has blackstrap molasses 🙌🏻 so yep, going to the store at 9pm during a pandemic for molasses because i am making this dang cake tonight 😁

[@princesskyrie]

How did it turn out?

[@kshaw2307]

Mrs. Crocombe? Dropped everything!

[@stefanr220]

Almost threw down my phone clicking on the thumbnail ❤️

[@acapelllah2502]

Imagine if we had internet and all but our life style stayed like this so cool

[@adityasonavane9241]

She's a polite lady and the recepies are also very sweet

[@justinallenlindley9796]

Mrs. Crocombe! Is that a new dress I spy? What a lovely tricot.

[@auntieyaya2597]

Gingerbread was always a favorite growing up. Now my grandniece asks for it and gingerbread cookies often.

[@youngcho1301]

I don't know why but i like more when mrs crocombe using her hand to mix than just using a spoon

[@jmdiego5552]

The viscosity is so thick, I guess. It would be hard to use a spoon.

[@laurentiare]

I really love these cooking episodes with Mrs. Crocombe. It’s so interesting to learn how the Victorians cooked and the little tidbits of history as well!

[@valeriepalmquist2597]

I absolutely love her videos. And historical information dispensed so casually, "this would be great for servants or a family". Thank you again!

[@jennifercuddy5663]

I love warm gingerbread cake with vanilla ice cream. 😊

[@susquahallasmiley3262]

And a dash of brandy

[@astrol64]

watching Mrs. C make that, esp when mixing the whole batter after....it sooo reminded me of when my mom made soft molasses cookies. I miss them and her soooo much!

[@tigerlion9567]

This particular culinary artist is so delightful, personable and well-mannered.

[@singulartrout]

Mrs Crocombe snatched my wig

[@rodsella]

Always a delight when Mrs. Crocombe makes one of her recipes.

[@jarednil69]

I like how over half of the video is just Mrs. Crocombe mixing the batter! Very relaxing.

[@mj9949]

i USED 2 TABLESPOONS OF FRESH GRATED GINGER. TURNED OUT GREAT.

[@Dragon359]

Any video from English Heritage is a joy to see, but one with cooking and Mrs. Crocombe is even more so.

[@IaruHetep]

I am just going to know this was released Just because I was thinking how much I needed a new video, and not 10 mins later here it is.. I am so glad you are seeing to my desires in such a timely manner... LOL

[@ManagementForDummies]

Mrs Crocombe must be a very well trained kitchen maid. She knows everything from recipes to laundry and taxes... Had I had anyone like her in my household, she will never be able to dismiss her service.

[@MyRickynOlivia]

You will need: Bicarbonate of soda...well well well. I'm throughly enjoying this.

[@sarabeth641]

It's just baking soda, if that helps

[@SuicideJade]

I always make time for a new Mrs. Crocombe video!

[@kennethmaese4622]

To the ten people who disliked this video.... Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries!

[@elysafrancisco7240]

And to them I also say -- NEE!!

[@naping5336]

You baking montage is really good. I clicked on your profile cause I liked your comment so much.

[@jackbassindale4336]

Leave now or we shall taunt you a second time!!

[@RexPhalange]

Is that a reference from somewhere? It sounds familiar.

[@jackbassindale4336]

Sparky Barth Monty python and the holy grail

[@missmusica82]

I am a pastry chef, and watching these videos, makes me so happy, but on an average day I use about 10-15lbs of butter a day depending what I’m doing!

[@bbmeow2740]

My family makes a recipe handed down from my grandmother on my father's side. It's very similar to this this. 1 differences, we top the cooled cake off with a coffee flavored icing. It is absolutely the cherry on the cake! I think I'll make it today!

[@chanthamala8]

Mrs. Crocombe got a new 'fit yall!

[@GremlinGrub]

I swear these vids are excuses for me to fatten myself up nice and plump for the Australian winter.

[@mademoisellekaya1438]

Omg... did you see the garden in the outtro.. So full of Spring! I hope it was a view of real time. Happy Easter to everyone! 😊

[@mi_kirsh]

Just bought black treacle from Amazon! Now to delight my whole family.

[@elijahym1192]

" What an International Cake!"

[@markmallecoccio4521]

Oh, hello Mrs. Crocombe, queen of baking KZbin

[@bigooman2396]

My comment today is I'm so addicted to this channel. Making my quarantine curfew so much better.🤗🤗🤣🤣🤣🤣👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿🇯🇲

[@LaDyLuCk2900]

Mrs Crocombe is turning me into a better cook!

[@necromancerlancer9956]

These videos bring so much happiness. They’re so pleasant ❤️

[@jep9092]

5:25 did she just pull out a hot cake with her bare hands?! Freaking savage Mrs. C once again

[@frenchypasmt]

I just made this today and house smells so nice and the flavours...oh they are so good! Thank Mrs. Crocombe and English Heritage for putting this delight in my life! Attempting Saffron buns tomorrow.