I love folk traditions. As a child, I attended the children’s folklore group “Valášek”, I’m a regular visitor of the festival “Jánošíkův dukát“, and whenever I get a chance, I can’t resist the contest “It’s hard to earn for a bread” in my hometown of Nový Hrozenkov. So when a scrawled wedding cake landed on my table as a gift from a family during one of my visits to Českolipsko area, I was thrilled.
The tradition of distributing cakes has deep roots in Czech culture and is still observed in some regions. According to this tradition, the bride’s family bakes a large number of sweet cakes to announce the wedding. These cakes are then distributed to the homes of family members and friends along with the wedding announcement.
This tradition also has a symbolic meaning. The cakes are considered a symbol of abundance and happiness, and their distribution is thus a sign of wishing happiness and prosperity to the newlyweds. By baking and distributing these cakes, the family shows their hospitality and kindness towards the wedding guests.
The type of cake that is baked and distributed can vary depending on the region and family preferences. Most often, these are cakes with curd or poppy seeds. The scrawled wedding cake (in German “Kleckselkuchen”) originates from Germany, but it is still found in Czech border areas. This cake has a rather unusual look.
The base is a leavened dough, topped with a layer of curd filling. Poppy seeds, jam, or plum jam are used for decoration, which are applied in stripes or dots, i.e., “scrawled” on the cake. The surface is sprinkled with breadcrumbs and chopped almonds, and after baking, it is dusted with powdered sugar. The result is a cake with a beautiful appearance and, thanks to the variety of fillings, an even better taste. Every scrawled cake is unique, because the pattern on the surface depends on the technique and style of the person preparing it.
Bon appetit and lots of luck in marriage!
