Make a cake with Biblical technology!
4 MINUTE READ
From Luke’s Journal 2022 | Technology | Vol.27 No.2
Scripture Cake5 (also known as “Bible Cake,” “Scriptural Cake” and “Old Testament Cake”) was extremely popular in the latter part of the nineteenth century, especially in the southern Appalachians of North America.
The cake was meant as a way to teach young girls baking and Bible verses at the same time. The earliest recipe for this cake was published in the Atlanta Constitution on June 27, 1897. Some researchers believe the cake dates back to the late 1700s in England or Ireland, while others claim the cake was a favourite of Dolly Madison, wife of U.S. president James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836).
A popular verse shared with those who are helping to prepare this cake is 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Bible tells us about eating raisin cakes which appear to have first been found in pagan tribes, although King David is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 16:2-3:
“When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.” (Also found in 2 Samuel 6).
Scripture Cake Recipe
Before you begin, here are a few simple pieces of bronze-age technology used to prepare a celebratory cake made in Biblical times.
Look up the following Bible references and identify which utensils are used for processing our ingredients:
- Numbers 11:8 and Proverbs 27:22 (grinding flour NLT,2)
- 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (mixing batterNLT)
- Proverbs 23:2 (cutting fruitNLT,3 “ ma’akheleth”)
- Leviticus 2:4 (baking NLT,4)
You can check the answers at the end of this article.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Judges 5:25, first clause
- 2 cups Jeremiah 6:20
- 2 Tbsp 1 Samuel 14:25
- 6 of Jeremiah 17:11, separated
- 1 ½ cups 1 Kings 4:22, first clause
- 2 tsp Amos 4:5, first clause
- A pinch of Leviticus 2:13
- To taste, 2 Chronicles 9:9b
- ½ cup Judges 5:25, first clause
- 2 cups each 1 Samuel 30:12, chopped
- 2 cups Numbers 17:8, chopped
Garnish
- Sliced Genesis 43:11
Instructions
Chop up the dates and figs.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Cream butter and honey.
Add egg yolks. In a separate bowl, mix flour, yeast and salt.
Add desired spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk.
Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into the batter.
Coat the chopped figs, raisins, and almonds with flour to keep them from sinking to the bottom and stir into the mixture.
Pour into a well-greased 25cm cake pan. Bake for 2 hrs.
Then garnish.
Recommended ongoing study
Add to the references ingredients that you can find in the Bible. There are many!
Prepare a recipe of your own and send to Luke’s Journal with a photograph of your baking success!
Answers to Biblical technology questions
1. Mortar and Pestle
“They made flour by grinding it (the manna) with hand mills or pounding it in mortars.” (Numbers 11: 8b)
2. Wooden Bowl
“In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold or silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones for everyday use” (2 Timothy 2:20)
“When Gideon got up early the next morning he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.” (Judges 6:38b)
3. Bronze Knife
“Lamech’s other wife, Zillah, gave birth to a son named Tubal-cain. He became expert in forging tools of bronze and iron.” (Genesis 5:22a)
“If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat.” (Proverbs 23:20 – a warning against gluttony that can lead to harm.)
4. Clay Oven
“If your offering is a grain offering baked in an oven, it must be made of choice flour, but without any yeast.” (Leviticus 2:4a – instructions for a ceremonial grain offering.)
“They are like an oven that is kept hot while the baker is kneading the dough.” (Hosea 7:4b)
Georgina Hoddle, RN Georgina Hoddle (Registered Nurse) has always been interested in sourcing and eating ancient food. She lived in Italy for 30 years and worked as editorial assistant for a journal that focussed on nutrition for people with diabetes. The Mediterranean diet advocates eating Biblical foods1. Georgie has presented many Christian fellowship talks on this subject over the last 10 years. Some of these recipes can be found in Luke’s Journal, 2017, p41. https://issuu.com/lukesjournal/docs/lukes_journal_917_web
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References:
BIBLE TRANSLATIONS: New Living Bible (2007)
- Fidanza, F: The Mediterranean diet: From antiquity to modern times. Diab.Nutr. Metab. 1 (issue 3) 1988. pp.
- https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Mortar accessed 13 March 2022
- https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/knife.html idem
- https://garystockbridge617.getarchive.net/amp/media/knife-a79e9b accessed 16 March 2022
- https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/741475526153662218/ accessed 15 March 2022
- https://www.soulprosperity.me/post/the-biblical-blessing-of-raisin-cakes-a-simple-recipe idem
