The money cake is a tradition that has been practiced for centuries in many cultures around the world. It typically involves baking a cake or bread with coins or money hidden inside, which are discovered when the cake is cut and served. The person who finds the money is said to receive good fortune, prosperity and blessings for the coming year. While the specifics of the tradition vary between cultures, the symbolism remains the same – the discovery of wealth and abundance.
What are the origins of the money cake tradition?
The exact origins of the money cake tradition are unclear, but it appears to date back hundreds of years. Some historians trace it back to the Roman empire, when cakes were baked with beans inside and given as gifts during Saturnalia, the winter solstice festival. The bean was symbolic of prosperity in Roman mythology. Other accounts point to Medieval Europe, when kings would hide a special bean or pea in a Twelfth Night cake. Whoever found it was declared “king” for the day or year ahead.
Another theory suggests the tradition originated from the Jewish community’s challah bread. Coins were baked into challah loaves which were divided and shared on the Sabbath. Finding a coin signified blessings from God in the week ahead. The coin represented the wish that everyone at the table would have a monetary blessing.
Overall, the practice of baking fortune or money into cakes seems to have roots across many ancient cultures as a way to mark special occasions and bring hopes of good luck and prosperity. The tradition stuck over time and evolved into the modern money cakes we see today.
Where is the money cake tradition still practiced today?
While less common today, money cakes are still part of New Year’s traditions and celebrations in certain cultures and communities. Some places the tradition remains popular include:
Greece
In Greece, a special New Year’s bread called vasilopita is baked with a coin inside. The bread is cut at midnight on New Year’s Eve and handed out per household from eldest to youngest. Getting the slice with the coin means receiving St. Basil’s blessing for the coming year.
Mexico
The rosca de reyes (Three Kings Bread) is baked around the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. A small figure of baby Jesus is hidden in the bread to represent the gifts of the three wise men. The person who finds the figure hosts a party on Candlemas in February.
Spain
Spain also celebrates el Día de los Reyes on January 6th with a ring-shaped cake called roscón. Whoever discovers the trinket within the cake has to pay for the roscón next year.
Portugal
In Portugal, the bolo rei cake contains both trinkets and nuts. Traditionally the cake is baked with a bean, but sometimes a coin is included. Whoever gets the bean has to buy or make the cake the following year.
Italy
In Italian tradition, a coin is hidden in panettone for good luck at Christmas. Some panettone now come with a gold-wrapped chocolate coin instead of an actual one.
Poland
Babka cakes often contain a dry broad bean. The person who finds the bean in their slice must then organize and host Karnival (Mardi Gras) before Lent.
United Kingdom
Christmas puddings may include small silver coins, symbolizing wealth for the new year. Christmas cake also included coins and tokens through the Victorian era. Whoever got the slice with the token was assured of good fortune.
What are different names for the money cake?
The money cake goes by many different regional names, including:
King Cake
Popular in New Orleans and southern states in the US, it is a ring-shaped cake with money or baby figurines inside. Colors of the cake often reflect Mardi Gras carnival colors.
Rosca de Reyes
A ring-shaped sweet bread baked in Mexico for Three Kings Day on January 6th.
Bolo Rei
From Portugal, it translates to “King’s Cake” and contains trinkets and nuts inside.
Roscón
In Spain it is shaped like a donut and eaten on Three Kings Day.
Christopsomo
In Greece it means “Christ Bread” and is associated with St. Basil’s Day.
Tsoureki
A sweet Greek Orthodox Easter bread that may contain red dyed eggs and coins.
La Befana
Named after the Italian Christmas witch, it contains chocolate coins.
Panettone
Italian Christmas bread with a coin inside for prosperity.
Vasilopita
Greek New Year’s bread containing a hidden coin that brings luck.
What ingredients and methods go into a traditional money cake?
There is no single recipe for money cakes because the ingredients and shapes vary across cultures. However, here are some common elements:
Yeast dough
Most money cakes use a lightly enriched yeast dough as the base, such as brioche, challah, or panettone. This allows the cake to rise and provides a flavorful bread-like texture.
Eggs and butter
Eggs help enrich the dough and provide structure, while butter adds softness and moisture. Some recipes use milk or water for extra hydration.
Fruits and nuts
Dried fruits like raisins, currants, citrus, and cherries are often included. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts provide crunch and richness.
Spices
Spices may include cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, anise, or nutmeg to lend warm aromatic flavors.
Shaping the dough
Ring-shaped cakes represent unity and continuity into the new year. Round or oval shapes symbolize cycles. Braiding or twisting multiple strands of dough is also traditional.
Braiding or twisting multiple strands of dough is also traditional.
Hidden items
A token is baked randomly into the cake, usually a coin, figurine, or dry bean. Sometimes multiple items are hidden with assigned meanings.
Icing and decorations
Money cakes are usually iced or glazed. Decorations may include powdered sugar, candied fruit, sprinkles, etc. Purple, green, and gold are colors associated with Mardi Gras cakes.
What are common money cake traditions and superstitions?
There are many interesting folk traditions and superstitions surrounding money cakes across cultures:
Good luck and fortune
Finding the hidden coin or token inside the cake brings the finder financial luck, prosperity, and good blessings for the year ahead.
Future role as organizer
In some traditions, the person who gets the token must host the next celebration with a money cake or pay for the next one.
Choosing the cake recipient
The money cake is sliced and distributed according to various conventions, such as age, social status, marital status, etc. This puts focus on the roles of different family or community members.
Gifts for God or saints
Tokens represent gifts, sacrifices or offerings for figures like the three Magi, St. Basil, or Christ. This connects the cake back to religious traditions.
Twelfth Night kings
Tokens designated roles for Twelfth Night festivities, designating “kings” and “queens” to lead festivities. This symbolized the visit of the three wise men.
Paying off debts
In some accounts, whoever found a pea or bean had to “pay the piper” by hosting the next celebration, settling their symbolic debt to society.
Matchmaking
Unmarried women were given money cakes containing symbolic items seen as representations of their future husbands or match.
How do you make a money cake?
Making a money cake takes some advance preparation but otherwise follows a straightforward cake recipe. Here is an overview of the process:
Choose a cake recipe
Select a lightly enriched yeast dough. Sweet brioche and challah recipes work well. You want a soft, fluffy texture.
Proof the yeast
Activate the yeast by dissolving it with warm milk or water and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
Make the dough
Mix the activated yeast with eggs, butter, flour, salt, sugar, spices, and any dried fruits or nuts. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed if it feels too sticky.
Let it rise
Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place to rise for 1-2 hours until puffy. Punch it down and let it rise again.
Shape the dough
For a ring cake, roll strands of dough into ropes and braid them together. Join the ends to make a ring. For individual cakes, divide dough into portions and shape into rounds or ovals.
Hide tokens
Bake small charms, coins or dried beans into the cakes randomly. Wrap coins in foil to prevent burning. Push objects deep into dough.
Proof and bake
Cover cakes and let rise 30-60 minutes until puffy again. Bake at 350°F until golden brown, about 30-40 minutes. Test doneness by tapping bottoms.
Glaze and decorate
Once cooled, drizzle glazes over cakes and decorate with sprinkles, powdered sugar, etc. Dye icing to match holiday colors.
Slice and serve
Cut into the cake carefully to avoid revealing locations of hidden tokens too soon. Distribute slices – the recipient of the token gets good fortune!
What are some variations on the traditional money cake?
Modern bakers have come up with creative new takes on the traditional money cake:
Trap doors and pockets
Rather than bake tokens directly into the cake, bakers add trap doors, pockets, or inserts for hiding items. This prevents burning and makes placement easier.
Edible money
Instead of inedible coins or charms, some bakers use chocolate plastic coins wrapped in gold or silver foil. These provide the fun of finding “money” without the choking hazard.
Fancy fillings
Some modern money cakes feature fillings like fruit curds, ganache, or preserves between cake layers. This provides an extra element of surprise.
Unique shapes and designs
In addition to the traditional ring or oval shape, contemporary money cakes can take creative geometrical shapes like stars, hearts, or hexagons. Decorations have also become elaborate.
Alternative doughs and batters
While enriched yeast dough remains traditional, some bakers opt for quick bread, chiffon, butter cake, or even waffle-based money cakes. This allows for versatility in texture.
Fun motifs
Rather than coins, some bakers theme the hidden items around occasions like weddings or birthdays by baking in tiny plastic babies, engagement rings, etc. This gives the surprise a unique twist.
Boozy versions
Alcoholic versions include rum-soaked bundt cakes or champagne-spiked Babka. Boozy cakes are often reserved for adult celebrations.
What are fun ways to serve and display a money cake?
Besides taste, the presentation of a money cake is important for building anticipation:
Layer cake on a pedestal
For taller layered cakes, display on a decorative pedestal cake plate so guests can see the cake from all angles.
Ring cake on a stand
Elevate a large ring cake by placing it on a wrought iron stand or rack so the shape can shine.
Lift with ribbons
Accentuate the height of any cake by tying ribbons around the bottom and crossing them on top to create a lift effect.
Decorative platter or board
Place cakes on a decorative silver platter or wood board for an elegant rustic serving surface.
Tie on keepsakes
For weddings or baby showers, attach small meaningful gifts to the cake like photo charms or party favors using ribbons.
Surround with flowers and candles
A ring of fresh flowers or votive candles around the base of the cake makes for a celebratory presentation.
Dessert table focal point
Put the showstopping cake in the center of a dessert buffet table surrounded by additional pastries, fruit, nuts, and candy.
Prop it up
Use a hidden glass vase or acrylic cake stand to prop up one side of the cake for a fun, gravity-defying illusion.
Line the path
Leading guests to the cake, line the way with a path of roses, balloons, candles, or other decor that builds up the surprise.
Conclusion
The money cake has long been a part of celebrations in many cultures as a ritual for bringing hope, abundance and sweetness into the new year. Its meanings have evolved from religious offerings to lighthearted festive traditions, but the basic concept remains the same. Hidden charms within cakes turn dessert into a game of chance, symbolically granting the finder good fortune in months ahead. Whether made from challah, brioche or babka, shaped into rings or towers, these lucky cakes remind us to enter each new year with an openness to life’s surprises and sweetness.