They say that there is nothing sweeter than a mother’s love, but we like to think that our desserts take the cake! A delicious cake can make any day better, and there are few people more deserving of a yummy treat than mothers. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to honor and give thanks to our mothers and maternal figures in our lives. It’s a day to celebrate and show our appreciation for the women who have helped guide and influence us into the people we are today. If you’re looking for tips on how to show your appreciation, Mother’s Day cake is a delicious, charming, and beautiful way to shower mom with some well-earned TLC!
There are many ways to spoil your mom, but we know that it’s not a celebration without cake, so we at Cakes Overseas have created a simple guide to help you treat your mother on her special day. Whether she likes creamy lemon cheesecake, raspberry pink velvet cake, or a decadent 3-tier chocolate cake, we’ve got desserts to make the perfect centerpiece for your Mother’s Day brunch or dinner. If you aren’t a baker, stop here and head on over to our site, where we can send a cake for you! Scroll down and read more on how to make this Mother’s Day extra special!
The History of Mother’s Day
Every day is an opportunity to show our moms just how much we love them. Whether it’s lending a helping hand in the kitchen or surprising my mom with a kiss on the cheek, I love to express my own love through small acts of kindness. Mother’s Day hasn’t always been about gift-giving and dinner parties, so let’s trace back in time to see how the celebration of our moms has developed over time.
The tradition of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the times of the ancient Greeks, who held festivities in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods, but the most notable precedent for Mother’s Day is the Christan festival; known as “Mothering Sunday.”
Early Christians in Europe celebrated the fourth Sunday of Lent as a Mother’s festival, which was a time when the devoted would return to their “mother church” – the main church in their hometown- for a special service in honor of Mother Mary.
Over time, the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted, and the custom eventually faded in popularity before combining with the American Mother’s Day tradition in the 1930s. Each year, children would present their mothers with hand-written notes, flowers, and other tokens of appreciation.
Mother’s Day Gift Giving Etiquette Around the World
Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to honor your mother, grandmother, stepmother, or any other woman that has played an important role in your life. For many of us, our mothers are our best friends, so it’s only fitting that we make an effort to pause and celebrate our magnificent moms. Surprising your mother with a love box of her favorite things is a way to make her feel extra special. On Mother’s Day, you may find yourself having to juggle between your mom, your step-mom, and your mom-in-law, so we have created a simple gift-giving guide on the best ways to surprise the extraordinary women in our lives.
Mother
Last-minute gifts can be stressful for anyone, so be sure to think ahead and plan your gift well in advance. The key to MOther’s Day gifting success is to order early to ensure her gift arrives on time. This will set a wonderful tone for the rest of her day.
It may be impractical to plan a Mother’s Day lunch if she is in another city, state, or country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show your appreciation for her. A great idea is to send your mother a package of her favorite things. It can be a selection of her favorite indulgences like cookies, wine, chocolates, and teas.
Remember to include your siblings and ask for your brother’s and sisters’ input. It may make it easier to combine gifts, and your mother will appreciate the family effort.
Step Mom
Mother’s Day is an excellent opportunity to show respect to all the women who raised you and made an impact in your life. Make sure you celebrate your supportive stepmom as well this Mother’s Day! Sending your stepmom a heartfelt letter or tray of cupcakes is a nice way to show her that you value and appreciate her.
We understand that relationships with your mom/stepmom can be strained, but Mother’s Day can be seen as an opportunity to send an olive branch to the important women in your life.
Sending a decadent cake on Mother’s Day is a way to build a new relationship by saying “I acknowledge you and I appreciate you” or “thank you for being in my life”. We know that cakes bring happiness so you can never go wrong with sending one as a gift!
Mother-in-law
Some people have a relationship with their mother-in-law that is as warm as any biological bond. Selecting a gift or making a card with the children is a great way to put a smile on granny’s face. Granny’s are well-known for their afternoon tea and cake delights, so why not surprise her and show your appreciation by delivering a decadent dessert right to her doorstep. Include the kids by allowing them to choose the cake they wish to send to their grandmother with a handwritten note or drawing.
Favorite Mother’s Day Cakes Around the Globe
From Pavlova in Australia to Tiramisu in Italy, cakes come in all shapes and forms. It’s no surprise that cakes vary tremendously from one country to another. Their differences primarily exist in the type of ingredients available in each region and the flavor profiles developed throughout centuries. Scroll down and discover some of our favorite traditional cakes from around the world, all different but equally delicious.
Australia – Pavlova
This meringue cake was created after the famous ballet dancer Anna Pavlova visited New Zealand for the first time. Pavlova can be cooked in many different ways but generally consists of a traditional meringue with a marshmallow-like center. It has a crisp crust with a soft inside, usually garnished with strawberries, raspberries, and whipped cream. Australians generally make this dessert all year round, but it is commonly associated with the summertime. The sweetness of the meringue combined with the tart berries and softly whipped cream makes Pavlova one of my favorite desserts. It’s safe to say that Pavlova is the first thing I’m finding on my next trip to Australia!
Belgium – Belgian Waffles
We are pretty sure that Belgian waffles don’t need an introduction, but we’ll give you one anyway! One of the most popular waffles in Belgium is called Liege waffle. The famous waffle is made of brioche bread dough mixed with pearl sugar that caramelizes when baked. Traditionally served plain with a dusting of icing sugar, Belgian waffles are well-loved for their chewy and dense texture. I can only imagine the joy of walking the Belgium streets with a warm waffle in hand!
Denmark – Drommekage
Drommekage is a traditional Danish Dream cake originating from Hjallerup in Jutland. Simple yet delicious, this decadent sponge cake is the perfect center piece for a Mother’s Day brunch. The airy sponge is made with a simple combination of sugar, butter, flour, eggs, milk, baking powder, and vanilla. Once mixed, the smooth batter is placed in a round baking tray and baked until golden brown. A coconut caramel topping is prepared with milk, butter, brown sugar, and desiccated coconut and poured onto the baked cake. Dripping with sweet caramel, this Danish dream cake really does sound like a dream come true.
Finland – Runeberg Cake
Named after the acclaimed Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the Runeberg cake is a small, circular-shaped dessert made with a combination of wheat and almond flour. Runeberg cake or Runebergintorttu in Finnish is characterized by its strong ginger and cardamom flavors and a tender, dense texture. The dessert comes in various shapes, and the essential addition to each cake is a dollop of raspberry jam, enclosed by a layer of plain white icing. It is tradition for this national dessert to be enjoyed throughout January leading up to Runeberg’s birthday, celebrated on the 5th of February.
Italy – Torta Paradiso
Torta Paradiso or Italian Paradise Cake is a simple, comforting, and yet elegant vanilla-scented cake that is perfect for any occasion. This classic Italian pastry is light and airy, made from a sponge cake with three essential ingredients – sugar, flour, and butter. Torta Paradiso is made with various tasty fillings like custards, creams, and chocolate spreads, making it a popular choice for a breakfast treat. As with all things Italian, this cake is done in style often accompanied by espresso, milk, or tea. I have yet to travel to Italy, but this cake is already on my list of “must do’s”.
Switzerland – Raspberry Cake
Raspberries are one of my favorite fruits, so the idea of adding them to a cake sounds like my kind of fun! It comes as no surprise that this cake is one of the most loved treats in Switzerland, and it is common for locals to enjoy a cup of coffee with their cake. You’ll find this cake more often in summer when berries are in season. Can you imagine being cozied up with a warm cup of coffee and a slice of raspberry cake while soaking up a view of the Swiss Alps? Someone sign me up!
The recipes for raspberry cake are nearly endless! It can be mixed with the raspberries and baked, or a cake can be baked before spreading the fruits on top, or you can even use dry freed raspberries to add color to your icing! Top the cake with whipped cream or frosting of your choice.
The USA – Black Forest Cake
When selecting a cake, it seems impossible to go wrong with a black forest cake. Combining rich chocolate cake layers with fresh cherries, cherry liqueur, and a simple whipped cream frosting, what more could you ask for? If your mother has a sweet tooth, this is the perfect cake to treat her to. Besides, who doesn’t love chocolate? Scroll down for our favorite black forest cake recipe.
How To Bake Your Own Mother’s Day Cake
Below you’ll find everything you need to make a great Mother’s Day cake worthy of the most amazing moms: a Black Forest Cake!
Ingredients
You will need:
- ¾ cup of cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of white sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
– 2 cans of pitted sour cherries
– 1 cup white sugar
– ¼ cup cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup confectioner’s sugar
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Step 2
Mix the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla essence into the dry ingredients and beat until combined. Pour the cake batter into the cake pans.
Step 3
Bake the cake for about 35 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven. Let the pans cool on a cake rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen the cake and remove it from the pan. Carefully place the cakes onto the cooling racks for 1 to 2 hours.
Step 4
Prepare the topping. Drain the cherries from the can and reserve ½ cup of juice. Combine the cherries, sugar, cherry juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Simmer the liquid until thickened. Add the vanilla and stir constantly. Allow the liquid to cool at room temperature for 40 minutes. Place the liquid into a bowl and transfer it to the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Step 5
Combine the whipping cream and icing sugar for a delicious frosting. Beat together with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
Step 6
Finally, it is time to assemble the black forest cake. Place the first cake layer onto a cake stand. Spread a thick layer of frosting on top with ¾ of the cherry topping. Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the layers of frosting and cherry topping. Frost the sides of the cake and finish off with dark chocolate shavings.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post on the best ways to spoil your Mother on Mother’s Day. It doesn’t have to be a Mother’s Day Cake, I think we can all agree that a beautiful dessert sent from the heart is a sure way to show your mother that you appreciate all that she has done for you. So pick the sweet treat you know your mom will like most! At Cakes Overseas, we pride ourselves in delivering sweet treats worldwide, so browse through our catalogs and discover sweet treats for any occasion.
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