Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2005.1.215.24 |
Object Name |
Recipe |
Title |
Fruit Cake |
Date |
12/12/1906 |
Description |
A collection of recipes and other clippings. (.24) contains a recipe for "Fruit Cake". The recipe is written on the back of a letter addressed to "C.W. Greeniaus" from the Hospital of Sick Children dated to December 12, 1906. The recipes are as follows: "Fruit Cake 1 lb of flour sifted well 1 lb of butter. 10 eggs 2 lb of raisins 3 lb of currants 1/2 grated nutmegs 1/2 lb of peel (?) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 Goblet of milk and brandy We put all milk in. Mrs. Kenny's receipt." |
History |
This recipe card belonged to the Greeniaus family who lived in the historic Village of Sheridan, in historic Mississauga. C.W. Greeniaus is in reference to Charles Wesley Greeniaus (1866-1929), meaning that this recipe was likely written either by him, or more likely by his wife, Catherine Margaret Sloan (1870-1927). However, she notes that the recipe or "receipt" originally belonged to "Mrs. Kenney", which may be in reference to Hiram Peter Kenney's wife, Phoebe Yorke (1842-1925). Fruitcake evolved into the moist, leavened dessert we recognize today during the early Middle Ages in Europe. Sweet spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg accompanied fruits in breads and cakes, becoming a precursor to the modern fruitcake found in various cuisines worldwide. European fruitcakes resemble medieval fruited bread, distinct from British and American versions which are more cakelike. Colonists brought the tradition of fruitcake to America, where it thrived alongside the influx of cheap sugar from the Caribbean. Preserving fruit through candying enabled year-round availability. Matured through a process of seasoning with spirits like brandy, rum, or bourbon, fruitcakes improved in flavor and texture over time. The fruitcake's enduring popularity in America was further fueled by the rise of mail-order food businesses, facilitated by postal services in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Companies like Claxton's and Collin Street capitalized on this, making fruitcake a staple in households across the nation. |
References |
Miller, J. "The Misunderstood Fruitcake has a Magnificent Shelf Life - and History", PBS, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/the-misunderstood-fruitcake-has-a-magnificent-shelf-life-and-history |
People |
Greeniaus, Charles Wesley Kenney, Hiram Peter Sloan, Catherine Margaret Yorke, Phoebe |
Search Terms |
Sheridan |