One of the few holidays celebrated by 19th-century Americans was George Washington's Birthday. The national hero was celebrated with toasts, balls, and the baking of Washington Cake.

Original Recipe

Stir together a pound of butter and a pound of sugar; and sift into another pan a pound of flour. Beat six eggs very light, and stir them into the butter and sugar, alternately with the flour and a pint of rich milk or cream; if the milk is sour it will be no disadvantage. Add a glass of wine, a glass of brandy, a powdered nutmeg, and a table-spoonful of powdered cinnamon. Lastly, stir in a small tea-spoonful of pearl-ash, or sal-aratus, that has been melted in a little vinegar; take care not to put in too much pearl-ash, lest it give the cake an unpleasant taste. Stir the whole very hard; put it into a buttered tin pan, (or into little tins,) and bake it in a brisk oven. Wrapped in a thick cloth, this cake will keep soft for a week.

"Directions For Cookery, In Its Various Branches"
By Miss Leslie.
Philadelphia: E.L. Carey & Hart, 1840

Modern Adaptation

(1/2 recipe will make 1 cake)

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 ½ to 4 cups sifted flour
3 large eggs beaten to a froth
1 cup cream (light or heavy) or buttermilk
2 Tbsp. Port wine (or another sweet wine)
2 Tbsp. Brandy or Cognac
1-2 Tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
1 Tsp. ground cinnamon
½ Tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. cider vinegar (only if using cream, omit if using buttermilk)

Preheat your oven to 350ºF.

Cream Butter and sugar together.

Beat eggs and add to butter and sugar.

Add wine, brandy and cream or buttermilk.

If using cream, add baking powder to vinegar and add into mixture. If using buttermilk, stir baking powder into buttermilk, omitting vinegar, and pour into mixture.

Sift flour into mixture until it is a thick batter (up to 4 cups).

Add spices.

Once thoroughly mixed, pour batter into 8” or 9” round cake pan, well greased.

Bake for approximately 45 minutes until golden brown.

Insert a knife or toothpick in the center to check doneness. If it comes away clean it is ready. Enjoy!