This recipe gives new meaning to the phrase “fruit of your
loins.”
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| Victoria and Albert |
Clearly the Matrimony Balls hark after the tradition of
celebrating a marriage with fruit cake, the fruit symbolizing the children to
come from the union. Initially, there were two cakes; a Bride’s Cake which
consisted of plain cake with white icing symbolizing purity and fertility, and
the Groom’s Cake, a smaller rich fruit cake. Eventually the two combined, and
the tradition of the newlyweds cutting it together stems from the need for
strength, as the solid icing needed to hold the layers up was hard to break.
This icing became known as “royal icing” after Queen Victoria used it at her
wedding, where it reflected her grand white dress — an unusual decision which
has been copied ever since.
Even older traditions include building a tower of buns over
which the Bride and Groom would kiss. The French retain this in the
Croquembouche, a tower of profiteroles stuck together with spun sugar, which
often serves as the top layer of the wedding cake.
 |
| Croquembouche |
Croque en bouche
means “crunch in the mouth.” This is very likely what happens when one eats a
Matrimony Ball.
Candies and Bonbons
and How to Make Them, Marion Harris Neil, 1913
Also from this book: Matinée Idols and Nymphos, Feeding the Ever-Burning Flame, Pink Nut Kisses, Jack-in-the-box
Also from this book: Matinée Idols and Nymphos, Feeding the Ever-Burning Flame, Pink Nut Kisses, Jack-in-the-box
