Wedding Cake Recipe from 200 years ago | How To Cook That Ann Reardon

Wedding cake recipe from 200 years ago has some bizarre techniques and recipes and took days to make: www.howtocookthat.net/public_... ‎
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Hi I am Ann Reardon, How to Cook That is my youtube channel it is filled with crazy sweet creations made just for you. Join me for creative cakes, chocolate & desserts, new video every Friday.
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[@fredii2810]

My grandma is French she made this cake once for Easter and she said the book's measurements weren't correct in French either.

[@lilithcrow6675]

Weird

[@mitlover]

Its possible he just didn't want anyone to make it so he purposefully fudged the measurements.

[@RoseDeNoire]

The recipe is correct, but eggs back then meant duck eggs and not chicken eggs, these are bigger. It's something I often come across when modern chefs cook old recipes. They don't look up what was "the usual" back then.

[@fireflieer2422]

@@RoseDeNoire interesting, goes to show how much ingredients have changed over the years

[@PaperMarioFan64]

maybe they're supposed to be in metres rather than inches. they just wouldn't fit together unless they were in metres which is why the cake is not really that big if you used inches. that and the translation of metric to whatever measurement system was used in Napoleonic-France just did not add up when re-translated back to English.

[@ieatchikin4565]

This is a : History Math And baking lesson in one

[@kaityr9693]

Food is amazing at holding such cultural and historical significance.

[@LJinx3]

well, baking is a science :)

[@-moon-266]

I’ll be attempting to hide from the math part

[@evelyndavey5484]

and a french lesson too

[@squikymouse3602]

@@LJinx3 chemistry

[@ashleyweston1137]

This I wasn’t a cake recipe, it was a blueprint for cake construction 😂

[@kawaiiwillow3097]

More like Biscuit/Cookie Hybrid

[@phileascattermole9998]

Correct. Hahah 🤣🤣

[@amycaslol95]

Truee thoooo

[@advitarawat7357]

I was your 1000th like

[@Imastupiddino]

Yeah 😂😂

[@ghostbones5927]

I bet the original chef would be so heckin pleased someone's still using his recipes. Especially because Ann is so impressed, I wish he could see this video.

[@andresvillanueva5421]

Me, too. I wish he could see this! I wonder what his reaction would be.

[@AndreinneLawrence]

he’d probably spend an hour insulting the english for the awful translation with terrible measurements.

[@simplyexhaustedmomma7805]

@@andresvillanueva5421 What is this witchcraft?!?!?

[@findunham8957]

@@AndreinneLawrence The instructions are wrong in french also! Its because back then, the inches the french used were different than the inches the english used :P This is why it isn’t accurate. Or maybe the writer messed up the measurements on purpose! Thats the joy of history, we’ll never know ;P

[@outtaspace1566]

AndreinneLawrence i imagine gordon ramsay reaction lmao

[@missmouse35]

French units of measurement at that time in history were actually different than English units despite sharing the same name. That's why everyone thinks Napoleon was really short even though he was of average height for the time. 200 years ago, a French inch was actually longer than an English inch, so Napoleon was 5'3 in French inches but actually something like 5'7 in English inches. This is also probably why you had such a hard time with the recipe!

[@wondypondy5488]

missmouse35 +

[@KaleidoscopeEffect]

Ohh I didn't know that! That's interesting

[@Elenkoism]

Was thinking that, too. Made for an interesting episode tho 😂

[@liliumtragedies]

Also ingredients like wheat changed immensly over the last few decades which probably influenced the dough as well.

[@KateLetsPlay]

Thank you! This is very interesting!

[@moonvathna9817]

Me: I don’t need maths, I’m going to be a baker Math teacher: *throws this video in my face*

[@MtnNerd]

Advanced baking is basically chemistry. I suggest watch Good Eats it explains a lot of the science and why measuring by weight is important.

[@flamesofhellstudio]

@@MtnNerd Baking is a science, cooking is an art.

[@ShiningCatProductions]

Give up on your dreams of becoming a baker

[@JamieRobles1]

They say alchemy started in the kitchen. I would say the same goes for all modern sciences as well. Lord, this recipe looked exhausting.

[@ajaxmaye2520]

@@JamieRobles1 hold up, are you saying that I'm an modern alchemist!?

[@theblackcatgirl7013]

How many eggs should there be in this recipe? Napoleon's Pastry Chef: *Yes*

[@theblackcatgirl7013]

I know this meme is overused but goodness gracious is there a lot of eggs in this.

[@simkoarl]

@@theblackcatgirl7013 Consider eggs at that time were much smaller compared to today. You may easily cut the number of eggs in half. Thats still a lot but not that much.

[@jessicastern8597]

@@simkoarl Those were my exact thoughts too

[@simkoarl]

@ボイス I'm not sure. I don't know this book, but I was able to read a copy of an Austrian cook book from the 17th century, where all eggs in the recipe were supposed to be chicken eggs - as far as I remember.

[@leeriches8841]

Neuf oeufs

[@ThiccOgreBoi69]

Title correction- "I spent two days correcting a 200 year old recipe cause their measurements were wack"

[@dagoosetm3299]

No cause it was in old French measurements

[@ThiccOgreBoi69]

@@dagoosetm3299 bruh it was a joke

[@grmpf]

@@ThiccOgreBoi69 We get that it was a joke, but you can still make that joke without being aware of what the problem with the measurements was.

[@ThiccOgreBoi69]

@@grmpf i think everyone knew it was old french measurements considering she was making a very old recipe

[@grmpf]

@@ThiccOgreBoi69 I... just can't with this. Why do I still sometimes reply to comments of this sort even though I know I don't want to do all the writing needed to unpack everything that doesn't make sense in conversations like this? Just never mind.

[@eeaarrllaalloo1404]

CAN SOMEONE JUST APPRECIATE THE EFFORT

[@gogobootgogoboot8048]

it's so amazing that someone like him, who was so ahead of his time, is still a marvel even today. It's so great that you've kept his memory alive, you did such an amazing job, really well done.

[@HowToCookThat]

😊

[@imtired_24_7]

gogoboot gogoboot yeah like srsly tho she put in soooo much effort two whole days worth just for a 19:42 minute long vid she did do a good job

[@aileyns5619]

@@HowToCookThat Long live the queen!! 👑 👑 💟💞

[@lizzy9975]

@@HowToCookThat You need to put ads on your channel! Your time isn't free!

[@hollyheaphy1370]

@@HowToCookThat when is the next video

[@LaDivinaLover]

The Egg amount problems Is most likely because they were using duck eggs instead of chicken eggs. People used a wider variety of eggs in the past.

[@K_Cummins]

With them calling for two eggs and three yolks and her using something like 8 eggs, I'm thinking this cake probably used ostrich eggs originally. :D

[@TheNickleChick]

@@K_Cummins haha, silly. Duck eggs are about 2-3 times bigger than chicken eggs, I'd say the math adds up that they'd be duck eggs. Hell, might even have been goose eggs.

[@Kairos_Akuma]

@@TheNickleChick Chicken Eggs where bigger and more..rich too.

[@redjenny8652]

not to mention egg sizes vary quite a lot and I bet the imperial court had access to the biggest eggs

[@gabriellel1118]

@@TheNickleChick people used goose eggs? did that affect the taste of the recipe in any way? Or do all the eggs taste the same and it's just the size difference?

[@wrongturnVfor]

It took her two and a half days to make this with modern appliances, imagine how long it would actually take done in the original way. I would really like to see Ann make a recipe (an easier one) with the tools of the time and then tools of today and see what the difference is. Because some things can massively affect how things turn out - kneading the dough by hand and in a mixer result in massively different end results. I would be very interested in the actual history part of it too. Like when was this made, some history associated with the food stuff.

[@alisaurus4224]

Anyone making a cake for a head of state would have multiple kitchen staff to do the slicing and beating and washing of dishes, but the multiple rounds of oven time can’t be shortened no matter how many helpers you have

[@DezMarivette]

Sounds like Mrs. Crocombe! That KZbin channel takes you into a Victorian kitchen and uses the authentic Victorian instruments found in the kitchens of those recipes! It would be amazing if Ann and Mrs. Crocombe had a crossover. 😆💕

[@madtabby66]

They would be giant wood burning and using a dog for your rotisserie is illegal now.

[@lazygardens]

@@alisaurus4224 They had multiple ovens too, and even special-purpose kitchens.

[@paula889]

You would like the KZbin channel Townsends. They use period ovens and tools to cook old recipes.

[@adrianghandtchi1562]

This reconfirmed my suspicion of pastry arts as not only chemistry but edible carpentry.

[@parisheidi3119]

😂😂😂👏👏

[@wrongturnVfor]

edible architecture

[@blixten2928]

Yeah, and it's EMPTY inside. What a waste.

[@francescoanastasio2021]

It was back then, everything changed with a guy called Escoffier decades later. It was just spectacle and opulence, they even used gold, pearls, whole truffles and evem gems (basically stones!!!) in their food.

[@blixten2928]

@@francescoanastasio2021 Knew about the stuffed peacocks (although I might be thinking of the 1600s). But pearls and gold in the food... ouch!

[@amazinglyamazing6935]

See? cooking is science and science is math!

[@basufani]

and math is evil

[@ryuhui]

YEA!!!!!

[@urgae9125]

I love when I get to the point where I can just eyeball things and know it’s enough

[@zsuzsisz9263]

Cooking is math😍

[@jasonbermudez7229]

And math is reading, ohno all the subjects are working with math WHY DO U HATE ME SO MUCH SCHOOL

[@alriaquino6994]

Imagine this as the dish for a Master Chef Pressure Test

[@TheNadinucca]

In Master Chef Spain one of the tests they repeat every year is the croquembouche (the pyramidal structure of cream filled puff pastries held together with caramel). It's become one of the traditional tests season after season. 🙂

[@CraftyVegan]

Given how inaccurate and vague the recipe is, it would be perfect for the great British baking show technical challenge dish.

[@savannaromeo6965]

Does any one else find her voice so soothing and amazing. I’ll just listen to her while I’m eating, brushing my teeth, or right before I go to bed. It’s so comforting like a sound hug

[@literallythefloor5431]

Her at the beginning: this is gonna be fun I can’t wait I’m so excited Her in the middle: what have I gotten myself into Her at the end: I’m dead inside and will never bake anything again

[@LoonieMommy]

I don't know why this had me laughing for 4 solid minutes straight!!!!🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Must be the lack of human contact outside my family combined with this KZbin rabbit hole fall.

[@nadiashireensiddiqi]

Well no her at the end was the cream, strawberries and custard were the best parts of the cake

[@spelaistenic5204]

Thats me every time i bake something 🤣

[@bailey_dee]

Ur username is incredible 👉😎👉 💜💙💖

[@ai6896]

I feel like in the beginning she was more like I'm a bit unsure and nervous but I can't wait!

[@TheMilitantHorse]

I'm just imagining the decadence of this cake back then. Everyone in fancy dress, bottles upon bottles of wine filling everyone's glasses. Ladies chat and dance with their husbands/betrothed, and suddenly, this massive cake is carted out before all. Jeez that would have been a sight.

[@sillygooseenergy]

Sounds like a painting, I bet it was beautiful.

[@jennhoff03]

I completely agree! I've never seen anything like it before!

[@wrongturnVfor]

And everyone trying to find faults with it. High society diesnt change.

[@arfinjalal4563]

Hey militant horse 🐎 and then Napoleon and his wife appear to marry as the bride 👰‍♀️ and groom 🤵 come to the ballroom

[@sharoneniye2550]

Me: interested in baking *sees all the math* Me: aiight imma head out

[@Leenybear]

“Can you imagine doing all of this over a wood-burning stove?” No! I can’t imagine doing any of this 😂 you’re amazing Ann 🧡 you work so hard on all your desserts.

[@whiteedk]

How amazing. These cakes was more like centerpieces to show how wealthy you where, sugar was very very expensive and this has A LOT of sugar

[@MistressMillion]

Wow, there's a lot of sugar. This thing must've been extremely expensive back then. It is always fascinating and curious to see how modern cooks approach recipes that are 100 and over years old. It's amazing!

[@kyrab7914]

You would love a channel that i think was suggested to me after watching this and the pompeii recipe, tasting history

[@dominiquepocopio777]

@@kyrab7914 what was the channel?

[@rowan4684]

@@dominiquepocopio777 Tasting History with Max Miller (i don't know 100% that there's not another different tasting history channel but it looks to me like that's what they were talking about)

[@thecraftycyborg9024]

When my pain levels are so high I can’t really function, I come back and watch this over and over, along with several of the other old recipe videos. It’s just so soothing when my nerves are fried. (I have very severe chronic pain-CRPS and autoimmune issues- so pain is my norm, but sometimes it reaches a point where I can’t function reasonably.)

[@DeeMetria]

Ah. Yes, hello. Nice to see you as I am doing the exact same frickin' thing. I'm sorry that things suck to this level for you, but it is nice to sometimes feel less alone in the suckage.

[@lellyt2372]

I hope you both are having an easier time 💖

[@Quesoquantum]

@@DeeMetria the fact that you two can relate when I've never heard of this baffles me. Hope you're doing ok

[@katieohara9476]

Omg I have this also! Very strange that 3 of us suffer from the same disease and watched the same video for some light relief,get it girls we don't have to let this beat us

[@thecraftycyborg9024]

@@Quesoquantum - CRPS is thankfully quite rare. The best way to understand that is that there’s two people with MS for every one of us. Which is good as CRPS is the most painful disease known, so I’m glad so few of us deal with it. (Though maybe if more people had it, there’d actually be research done on it and we’d have real treatments… But alas, it was first discovered and named during the American Civil War yet we’re just finally looking into the first ever treatment for it. It only works for new onset patients, though it’s a miracle for many new onset patients. It’s an IV drug that’s only approved in a few countries and it was found by accident.)

[@claranyman5708]

Carême, savvy pastry chef who's lived by his wits his whole life: "Pfft, as if I would simply put out my pastry secrets in a WRITTEN RECIPE like an IDIOT. No, I will write out a recipe with completely inaccurate proportions so no one can bake these things but me! Muahaha!" Ann Reardon, a woman from some random prison colony: "Hmh, let me just tweak this recipe a bit since it seems a bit off..." *Makes a functional and beautiful rendition of his signature wedding cake, in all likelihood improving on the original* Carême: "Sacré bleu!"

[@ZaraKarimi]

I don't speak French, but I think I might have the answer to your measurement issues, Ann. So the standardization of measurement units was something that only happened after the French Revolution in the 1790s. It was done to prevent the widespread abuse of systems of measurement, which allowed the ruling class to extract more wealth from everyone else. It wasn't very well implemented, but it was a good idea, which is why by 1860, a group of scientists from Britain got together and established the Imperial system of measurement that we know today. But before that, a French inch (or pouce) was equivalent to about 2.71 centimetres. The Imperial inch used today is about 2.54 centimetres. Since Napoleon's chief pastry chef started out as poor and was thus likely uneducated, he was probably still operating on the old French system when he wrote this recipe! I haven't done all the math because I don't have the recipe, and generally operate on the metric system, but you could try try substituting all the numerical quantities with the pre-Revolution French values for inches, ounces and pounds, if you're curious.

[@leftysheppey]

Sadly, they tried to use metric measurements when this was first written in 1811. Napoleon went back to imperial units to appease the masses in about 1812, but the measurements were fairly similar to modern day imperial units (although he did base them on metric). Units were wildly different in different regions of France before any form of standardisation. Chances are, the units used here are fairly arbitrary and there's probably little hope of reconstructing them.

[@ezra55595]

"They would have, of course, been doing this by hand. I, however, will use my stand mixer" YEAH, SUCK IT HISTORY!

[@SYDTrainsFilms]

Welcome to how to burn that I'm Ann Read-

[@anabarbulescu4043]

The pandemic broke me. Saw this in 2020 and thought it was a corona cake 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@alisaurus4224]

August 2021 and same

[@Liliarthan]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 oh boy

[@CraftyVegan]

July 2022 and the covid virus was the first thing that came to mind for me, too…

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

That's too bad. I think it's a cool design. I wouldn't let anything get in the way of that for me.

[@rezthegamercat8934]

@@user-gu9yq5sj7cbro shut up 🤫

[@Ray-td4tq]

I was in tears when the reveal happened. It was so beautiful and so much work and he started out as an orphan who became the Kings chef. I am so impressed and love how you are keeping his hard work and memory alive.

[@olikatgamer2616]

why is it called a wedding cake *WhEn It HaS nO cAkE*

[@surprisedchar2458]

Because it’s French.

[@lorraineadormonicus]

I don't know what they're supposed to call it other than a "cake"

[@Laur5117]

@@lorraineadormonicus Terrifying

[@joethomas5528]

this was around 200 years ago, stuff wasn't the same back then, so that is probably why.

[@ai6896]

Lol

[@Locomaid]

The pastry is similar to a very old Swiss Christmas pastry/cookie made with honey and pressed into decorative molds before baking. It is very hard and is not bitten, but rather sucked on. The enzymes in the saliva convert the starch to sugar in the mouth and it tastes sweeter so than if it were nibbled or chewed. It also lasted a long time. A true treat, especially in winter and times of hardship.

[@euskoposlanguageservices7873]

How are these cookies called? I'd love to find a recipe!

[@internetsuchtixd747]

Astarte Translations they are called „Triggel“.

[@nadiary7991]

@@internetsuchtixd747 Do you mean Tirggel ? I love those! Other traditional cookies are called (Basler) Läckerli. They are a bit like Cantucci mixed with Lebkuchen /Gingerbread.

[@karenramnath9993]

So it is like a rusk! 🤔

[@internetsuchtixd747]

Nadia yeah... I always thought they were called Triggel oops 😬😂

[@enthusedtosing9655]

"French wedding cake" (Chapter 3 out of _The Architect's Manual_ )

[@nitzapizza]

Ann is a LEGEND! She can somehow bake this well, along with being able to do all of that complicated math that I do NOT understand any of.

[@jashfan474]

You should do "I modernize a wedding cake from 200 years ago. " I think that would be rlly cool and you would have some great ideas on how to make this wedding cake siper cool but also preserving the ideas of people a long time ago!

[@h.r.9563]

Like making the death star top a crispy wafer like those hazelnut trifle, drizzled in a lovely modern glaze

[@doodlepenguin7788]

I bet there were only two people who did this cake: Napoleon's pastry chef, and you. Like, wow. #MindBlown P.S.: Just imagined Gordon Ramsay attempting this. XD XD XD

[@theamhway]

RAAAWWWWWW

[@ebc6970]

Well since this recipe is written in Ann's great great grandmother's recipe book, I _think_ some people around 200 years ago also made this

[@doodlepenguin7788]

The there // Oh yeah, forgot about that. You're right.

[@ragnkja]

Gordon Ramsay would probably agree that some of the units may have been incorrectly converted.

[@laurenstell8087]

Origami Lover I was thinking the same thing. Maybe that's why the numbers were off... he never thought someone would attempt it!

[@autrinaes]

When she started doing the math I think my brain fried

[@BrittonS.]

Theres not even any cake in that wedding cake, it just looks like a bunch of granola bars😂

[@SusPitch]

This recipe sounds like an absolute nightmare to do lol with the off measurements and everything

[@HowToCookThat]

oh it was pretty hard! Harder than i thought when i started 😱😱😱

[@SusPitch]

How To Cook That I would probably give up after the first or second blunder, your perseverance payed off!!

[@rouge-gsd3061]

Ariana Omnomnom the reason it may be off is due to at the time French inches and other measurements were different at the time, fun fact nopoleon was 5’7 which was above the average height when translated.

[@louisacapell]

Ariana Omnomnom but that's the FUN of cooking from antique recipes! Lol Its like knitting from those terribke vauge antique patterns! HHHAAAARRRDD but SO fun!

[@SurpriseKidsFun]

ok ... so can I just say that this is REMARKABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HowToCookThat]

thanks boys 💕

[@oreo2212]

Thanks cute!😍

[@chewbacca7189]

sacreblue!!

[@FeelYourMeal]

Agree!

[@Hi-wm2kc]

Yes it is

[@theangriestcatintheworld]

I must say, between the all the calculations and work put into making this masterpiece and the vast information from the comments, I am just gobsmacked! What a brilliant video!!! Tale a wee bow, Ann!

[@Aligynical]

Alternate title: watch us make a 200 yr old edible piñata

[@misamisaa4547]

Napoleon died (1820s) before the meter convention (1875) so that's probably why the units don't match

[@vilainesuccube8552]

No, actually, we French adopted the metric system as part of the French revolution to try and and unite the country way before 1875. You can still admire a replica a the "first" meter glued into a wall in the street across the Senate. So way early before 1875, in a period of time stretching from 1790 to 1795 (we had multiple measurements systems that were already in place, such as la toise, le pouce, etc...). Any other measurement system was banned and illegal then... This reform, along with the mathematic works of Monsieur de Prony enabled France to adopt a modern land registry under Napoleon to successfully carry on our tradition of taxation 🙂 For a link emanating from the French government on the subject : www.gouvernement.fr/partage/9103-adoption-du-systeme-metrique-decimal

[@vilainesuccube8552]

But at the time cooks were also known not to disclose the actual recipes in their whole to avoid competition. And it think it also got lost in the translation. At the time, it is interesting to remember this was likely to have been a pirate edition of the cookbook as there were no international bodies to enforce copyright laws which were pretty much nonexistent. So a guy probably ripped off a book, had someone (not a cook) translate it for a meager penny and voilà, you have strange measures.

[@sherrybolinger2352]

My hat's off to you, Ann, to tackle this wedding cake on a video without a 'practice run'. As to the recipe's inaccurate measurements, the gentleman may have had a MEAN STREAK in him, and *purposefully* gave the wrong numbers so that no one else could replicate this 'masterpiece'. He didn't know how smart, brave, and determined YOU would be when you tackled 'his' masterpiece 200 years in the future. Brava, brava, Ann!

[@HowToCookThat]

haha, yes i was beginning to wonder the same thing Sherry! There's a lot of people saying that there's a differences in measurements between French & English, but that should only affect the overall size ... it should still be in proportion with itself. So perhaps he was a bit of a scoundrel after all 😉

[@25thbamm9]

I like how you legitimately appreciate the work put into this even when the recipe went a little wrong. You never insulted the original cook but in fact praised him. You did a really good job!

[@adelhany4708]

The reason the measurements are wrong is because the French inch was longer than the one we know today. This also explains the confusion in Napoleon's height.

[@MrsLadyPerez]

It's been 200 years Measurements have changed since then. So in reality, neither person is wrong. It's just the timing. Great job with the translation of measurements

[@ColorOfSakura]

I believe the weirdness with the length measurements has to do with the French measurement system 200 years ago actually being different from the standard English measuring system. It's where the disparity in Napoleon's height comes from. French inches were longer, which is why Napoleon's height is reported as 5'3" - when in actuality (using standard inches), he was more like 5'7" or 5'8". The actual ingredients being wrong just has to be poor measuring on the part of whoever wrote the recipe out.

[@mavischandler2244]

You're so amazing you're a mum, you can cook, bake, do science, maths, drawing and history WHAT CANT YOU DO

[@CubsYT]

Those kids just ate the cake meant for one of the greatest kings we've seen. Long live technology!

[@thisisahumanlol8255]

I dont think Napoleon was King of France

[@EthanMeatan]

@@thisisahumanlol8255 bruh ann legit said in the video he was. Also google exists

[@itz_moonwolf1480]

@@EthanMeatan he was the EMPEROR, pretty big difference if you ask me.

[@HowToCookThat]

Yes it took me 2.5 DAYS to make this one for you ... if you enjoyed this episode, do me a favour & hit that LIKE button so the youtube robots know 😍 PS. watch until the end to see us EAT this insane cake with friends!!! 💕

[@marktwain8727]

wonderful work Ann, I liked it & shared it too!

[@proudfangirl425]

How To Cook That It is AMAZING! love your channel

[@melmicsim]

Beautiful as always! PS, just a bit of history: the French measured things a bit differently in Napoleon's time. He was reported to be 5'2" by French measurements, but was actually closer to 5'7". Of course, you've now found out the measurement differences! :)

[@illianamai7209]

THIS CAKE IS INSANE!!

[@HowToCookThat]

oh wow, that might be where my problem was with all the measurements!! I will have to look it up online & see if there's any more information. Thanks melmicsim 😀

[@mrs.g.35]

Those hemispheres look like Daleks. "EXTERMINATE....this recipe" 😂

[@LordJuztice]

So I wasn't the only one O_O

[@xxbloopiexx3852]

I new I wasn't alone in the world

[@basufani]

Huzzah!! A woman of culture!!

[@harunos5279]

One of my coworkers mentioned this video (we're both historians) and because I'm obsessed with HTCT's debunking videos, I was SO excited to watch this! It's easily one of the best videos, and I'm so happy to see it! Thank you so much, Ann!

[@nataliaschuler3949]

I actually sent this video to my math teacher because this is the first thing to inspire me to think positively about math in months!

[@hardeepkaur804]

If anyone can make this wedding cake it's Ann Even if it takes 2.5 days to make!

[@HowToCookThat]

💕

[@amandanewman1585]

I know this post is old and you probably wont see my comment but i just discovered your channel. This made my heart so happy, watching you prepare this wedding cake step by step with such care. I had such a smile on my face the whole time. Thank you for putting me in such a good frame of mind

[@Applepoisoneer]

Man, you deserve some kind of award or trophy for not only recalculating this recipe, but having the tenacity to follow through with it and execute it so perfectly!

[@kori4580]

The cake looks like the energy-producing enzyme, ATP synthase ;)

[@cristiancov6994]

Hi Ann, I woud love if you coud see this comment but I had a look at the original french version of this recipe and the measurments were exactly the same as the ones in the english version. The possibility for there being so much error in the calculations is because at that time france was going through a change in units from the old used in that area of france only unit to a universaly acceped unit, so maybe he was still using the old unit that had the same name. Or the second possibily as you said is that Carême coud not do maths. I hope this helped a little bit with understanding more about this recipe. Also I am a really big fan and love all of your creations.

[@maia5587]

cristian cov

[@Shazianne]

Possibly he eyeballed the measurements while making it and then guessed it out while writing the recipe.

[@jenroses]

@@Shazianne *hangs head* I do that all the time

[@aeea8318]

Notice units were called the same way but weren't long identically, so they might have been mistakes at translation or something so.. That's actually why the English used to say Napoléon was small (just measurement's length mistake).

[@sunnyw4862]

Maybe French use duck eggs which are much bigger than chicken eggs.

[@brettshears]

This should be retitled, HOW TO DO MATH!!

[@haseabolt]

True, lol

[@Noblebird02]

practical maths/ applied maths

[@UrsahSolar]

“Napoleon’s bakers couldn’t math (absolute proof!)”

[@ieatchikin4565]

Brett Shearer ikr

[@Milkymalk]

@@Noblebird02 Not to forget, chemists.

[@roro6320]

I researched it, and I know French, so from what I found, it was two things that led into the wacky measurements. 1. It was written in old French, so the measurement system changed a bit. 2. Most of it was problems of the translation

[@lara_xy]

I think your voice fits these old timey recipes so perfect!

[@purplealice]

Now I know what Jimmy Webb meant in the lyrics to _MacArthur Park_ : "I don't think that I can take it, 'cause it took so long to bake it, and I'll never have that recipe again, oh no..."

[@HowToCookThat]

ABSOLUTELY! I liked the end result but never again!

[@purplealice]

I may steal the idea of making a sphere by baking two hemispheres of pastry (although I'd probably use puff paste, since it's surprisingly sturdy and not very heavy) and filling the sphere with a light whipped mousse. Hey, decorate the outside and you've got an Earth Day cake! (Go ahead and do that - I don't have nearly as much kitchen equipment as you do, and I also don't have a decent camera.)

[@sanahbukhari3265]

And here I am failing at making cupcakes... This looks amazing ❤❤

[@HowToCookThat]

😋

[@a.a.g.h.1679]

Something really destructive in me wants to smash this cake into little bits and eat it with milk like a cereal omg Great video, as always Anne! This is next level

[@mollysministuff]

Soaking the hard parts in milk might make it easier to eat.

[@a.a.g.h.1679]

@@mollysministuff thats what I was thinking! Lol

[@Quesoquantum]

Destructiveness is just human nature

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

No, you want to save food, which is good.

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

@@Quesoquantum Human nature has good too. I don't want to be destructive.

[@nehchalnarula1545]

Hi Ann. I am here after watching so many of your debunking videos and 200 year old recipes. I must say that I really admire your patience in everything you do. Your level of patience is so inspiring for a person like me who loses patience quite often. I really wish to meet you someday.

[@narapo1911]

These 200-year-old recipies are so cool. It is like a view to the past! After all, this kind of stuff was served in a palace😍 I wonder if in the French version the cook had used metric system, and if they have been changed to cups in translation, which may have messed up the measurements?

[@MegaCatGirl13]

narapo actually the metric system did not exist yet by then. They all used local measurements which were strange random numbers so messing up up the measurements was very likely to happen.

[@narapo1911]

MegaCatGirl13 ooh cool!

[@Ankhsheshonq]

@@MegaCatGirl13 Actually, the metric system was adopted by law in France in April 5th 1795 - so yes, it was certainly invented, though that does not mean everyone used it.

[@therandomchococat]

YESS!!!! Another 200 year old recipe!

[@HowToCookThat]

😋

[@chuukimji-woofromlaguna3982]

People:before 2020 wow that topping is unique People now 2020:is that corona virus

[@adiposeNarnian]

Shit, now I can't unsee it.

[@feralscafe7435]

It really doesn't look like that?? ???????!!?!?!?!?!?!?

[@manaalmoosa7977]

My thoughts exactly!

[@adde9506]

Even if he couldn't do math, from his perspective almost everything in here would have been counting, which he must have been able to do in order to learn to cook. Considering that he likely had to scale recipes all the time, either someone did the math for him or he learned enough to get by. The problem is probably that it's written in an archaic measure; it appears that the weights were smaller and the lengths longer, and there is no way to know how large the eggs were. The component parts of it may also not have been scaled. You will need A, B, C, D - here are the recipes for those. They may even have been preexisting recipes that were only published at this point and not particular to this centerpiece. Making enough batches to complete the picture, or any other shape you wished, may have been considered so obvious that it's inclusion was a waste of print.

[@Beeha7]

Ann,this is another spectacular job well done,you do cakes and creation so well,I love the result of this because this took time and look beautiful,I really enjoy watching your videos,love you♥♥

[@HowToCookThat]

thank you

[@missleigh2256]

habibi786 live_love_laugh you spelt anne wrong. It's anne not ann

[@Beeha7]

leigh louise gardner everyone spelt it wrong too

[@HowToCookThat]

It's actually Ann for my name 😀

[@Beeha7]

How To Cook That than you,that's what I wanted to know because I always spelt your name as Ann,thx for replying to me

[@BB-un2ts]

Croquembouches, eclair or choux were more often filled with marmelade (apricot or red currant) than custard cream (crème pâtissière) even on late 19th century.

[@piperbarlow1672]

she mentions that, i think she just preferred custard

[@GOD-bh8ff]

What makes me wonder is how to slice this without even ruining anything

[@Robyn-tu5hz]

I love how she says stuff like we are actually going to try it🤣

[@BT5PavedTheWay]

Napoleon had the Foodstagram game on lock back in his day. Damn! Half of it may not be edible but it sure looked pretty! Amazing job as always Ann! 😍😍😍

[@diablankos]

whenever she says “clear” she means “light” because of how the recipe was translated

[@JaniceLHz]

Ah, oui! claire = light (by my memory of French class, not to mention "Au claire de la lune" = "by the light of the moon")

[@lemonmelon2612]

Still one of my favourite of Anne’s 200 year bakes.

[@sarahcoletti6946]

Six years later and this content is still completely amazing and relevant! Amazing job as always Ann!

[@sarahcoletti6946]

I can't believe I got a heart from Ann! Excuse while I fan girl for a moment!!! 🥰💖

[@gekegeko5946]

LOL I WASN’T EXPECTING THIS WOW! BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@anonthe-third2367]

How did you not expect it? It was in the thumbnail

[@TheChloetse]

This is some Napoleonic Era version of Zumbo! I would love to see some more 200 year old recipes!

[@storm6245]

The 2,000 year old Pompei cake recipe turned out more like a cake than 200 year old cake has.

[@lilabluestars85]

This is AMAZING! I love this video and the idea that recipes like that are still preserved somehow. Thank you for doing this Ann, it's just a delight to see you baking and teaching us so much in one single video! THANK YOU

[@clairebourke8465]

You should make an easier more updated version of this recipe to make at home that doesn't take two days and is nicer and or easier to eat

[@professorhistoire5349]

you should make a normal cake, preferably a berry sponge, 2-layer, maybe 3, and decorate it with the cakes a la duchesse, almond wafers, meringues and a small dome holding the cream on top. There. You have a cake that captures the extravagance of this recipe, but does not take so long to make.

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

Yes please!

[@katm82]

Omg that looks so freaking cool!!! Haha whoever designed that cake was just having a darn good time 😂 but for real what a QUEEN who else in the world would do this for their subscribers?? Love love loved how this turned out, can't believe how much TLC goes into your vids and this channel, and especially for this recipe!! Like holy moly, love your channel 💕💕💕

[@margaritabeshkova9253]

I can’t help but notice how much you care, I really appreciate all the maths you show us to help you figure out what to do it makes it interesting for us and it makes us feel a part of the process if you know what I mean this is one of my favorite videos from you 💕

[@elsatesfam5229]

Thanks for all the work you put into your channel, Ann! Your dedication is evident and that you care about your audience. Glad I found you!

[@marktwain8727]

WOW! This is truly remarkable Ann!! What a huge effort, thank you so much!

[@mitokkiii]

I just LOVE these 200 year old recipies, its like going back to how people used to make things and the history incorperated in it is amazing! Its amazing how you were able to do this Ann!

[@S_i_a]

You are and always will be my favourite KZbinr ! Great fresh content and you are so hardworking ! 👏👏👏

[@hippityhoppityyourchildiso8803]

Nobody: The french: c a k e

[@RadenWA]

When you opened the cake at 19:00 the candle on the background makes it looks like the inside of the cake was lit on fire XD Now that woulda been a surprise.

[@gabriellel1118]

haha fireball cake

[@surike]

If you remember, why don't you remake YOUR wedding cake? Did you make your wedding cake?

[@marymurphy1429]

The end product is so cool looking! It's amazing how people could do that even without any of our modern stuff

[@indigoziona]

I genuinely thought this was some weird coronavirus cake and then I looked at how long ago you posted this :O

[@jolene6775]

This is beautiful plz do more out of the 200 year old cookbook

[@HowToCookThat]

thanks Jo

[@snowleopard4890]

That is just amazing, Ann. I'm floored that you would try this, but of course you would try this because you're just awesome. Thank you for posting. This was just as educational as it was amazing to watch!

[@maryashalabi2084]

Snow Leopard what you're actually going to try make this?

[@tigstabraha6476]

I gotta say this is the most creative and artistic cake I've ever seen and it must've taken a special talent and patience for Ann to spend all her time on it. I love your channel so much

[@santiagosanzfeliu8095]

Thank you for this time travel baking video. I love how you presented your work at the end, sharing with your loved ones. You touched my heart.

[@daemonskycloak6818]

Pastry Chef in the 1800’s following this recipe. Finally I’m done beating these 4 eggs. *Reads more* Okay... 6 more eggs to beat stiff might as well I’m already this far. Finally done!!! *Reads more* “Beat 6 eggs till stiff” 1800’s pastry chef *flips table, starts a chicken farm/arm muscle training business*

[@motosaki]

Weird much?

[@arunachlerkar53]

Haahha

[@adiposeNarnian]

And to make it worse, someone on anither comment was translating it from French, and apparently the original called for many, many, many more eggs.

[@firestarter5063]

Lol

[@idkwhodos2840]

I remember seeing in a very old recipe book; "Beat egg whites to the exhaustion of 2 servants" Always think of it when I make meringues!😂

[@lizhill2333]

Holy cow, that's a lot of sugar. I had to take extra insulin just to watch the video. hehheh

[@heidih.3727]

5:17 who's up for a round of tic tac toe?

[@imtired_24_7]

Who else thinks that her voice is kinda calming when ur trying to not fall asleep 😴 just me? Ok 🤔