A groaning cake is a cake that is made traditionally for or by a family who just had a baby. Sometimes a mother will make the cake during early labor to stay active and help focus between birthing pains.
A groaning cake, basically an old fashioned apple spice cake, can be made in any kind of cake pan, muffins, or a loaf pan. It can be topped with cream cheese, glazed icing, or something like peanut butter or preserves. Recipes vary but usually have a lot of ingredients. The idea is to deliver a heap of nutrients to a mother in labor or right quick without being too heavy. Most recipe begin with flour, sprouted if most healthy. Recipes are adaptable and either call for white/brown sugar or honey or maple syrup. Pumpkin puree is added for nutrients. Nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, all spice, or some variation bring lots of flavor. Walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pecans, chocolate chips, dates, raisins, chopped carrots or shredded zucchini bring lots of texture. Recipes usually call for some kind of combination. It seems like this is one of the first mentions of the Groaning Cake written out online. Lots of other recipes quote this one. To quote Ami from the link above : “The tradition of the groaning cake, or kimbly at (or following) a birth is an ancient one. Wives’ tales say that the scent of a groaning cake being baked in the birth house helps to ease the mother’s pain. Some say if a mother breaks the eggs while she’s aching, her labour won’t last as long. Others say that if a family wants prosperity and fertility, the father must pass pieces of the cake to friends and family the first time the mother and baby are churched (or the first time they go to a public gathering) after a birth. Many cultures share similar traditions…a special dish, bread, or drink, spiced with cinnamon, all spice, and/or ginger. At one time there was even a groaning ale made to go with it…” The groaning cake is very nurturing postpartum. It can be made ahead of time and frozen, made during early labor, or made by someone and delivered to you. Have you ever tried a groaning cake?
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