This elaborate pink and yellow checkerboard cake, named Battenberg, was first created in 1884 to honor the marriage of Princess Victoria of Hesse-Darmstadt and Prince Louis of Battenberg. Interestingly, this cake was only first made available for sale in the early 20th Century in Europe. The four square pattern is said to represent the four Battenberg Princes - Louis, Alexander, Henry and Francis Joseph. This cake must always be colored yellow and pink and if it's not, well, it's not a Battenberg Cake (contrary to information that I found online about the cake being colored white and pink).
While not very popular in the states, Battenberg is the traditional dessert offering on St. Georges Day in England. People take this cake very seriously. I had learned in pasty school that on St. Georges Day they also have Battenberg cake contests varying in sizes, shapes and so on. I couldn't find any information online about this. Perhaps this is just Battenberg folklore?
This very sweet sponge cake has a simple almond flavor and is held together with apricot jelly and a thin layer of marzipan surrounding the outside - a classic confection in wedding cakes of days long gone by. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try out the recipe here. (A good tip that I learned early on with cakes likes this - measure twice, cut once!)
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