Mayonnaise Cake
Mayonnaise cake is a unique and surprisingly delicious dessert that may sound unconventional at first.
But this moist and flavourful cake incorporates mayonnaise as a key ingredient, adding a creamy richness to the batter. The mayonnaise not only contributes to the cake's moist texture, but also imparts a subtle tanginess that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Paired with cocoa, mayonnaise cake boasts a deep, chocolaty flavour profile that's both indulgent and comforting.
Despite its unorthodox ingredient, mayonnaise cake has been a beloved homemade treat for generations, showcasing how creativity in the kitchen can yield unexpected and delightful results.
And can you guess where it originated?
Mayonnaise cake has a fascinating history that traces back to the mid-20th century in the US. It emerged during a time when home cooks were seeking innovative ways to create moist and flavourful cakes, especially during periods when ingredients like eggs and butter were scarce due to rationing during World War II.
The use of mayonnaise in cake recipes likely originated from the idea that this condiment could serve as a creamy, fatty substitute for traditional cake fats. Mayonnaise contains oil and eggs, which are fundamental cake components, making it a logical replacement in times of rationing.
The earliest known published recipe for mayonnaise cake appeared in the 1950s, and it was often promoted by mayonnaise manufacturers as a way to showcase the versatility of their product. Chocolate mayonnaise cake became particularly popular, with the mayonnaise adding moisture and a unique tanginess to the chocolate flavour.
Over the decades, mayonnaise cake recipes evolved, and various versions emerged, including spice cakes and lemon-flavoured cakes, each capitalizing on the creamy, moist texture that mayonnaise can provide. While no longer a wartime necessity, mayonnaise cake continues to be enjoyed as a nostalgic and unexpectedly delightful dessert, with its history serving as a testament to the ingenuity of home bakers in the face of culinary challenges.
Sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, instant coffee, baking soda, baking powder and half a teaspoon of salt.
Separately whisk together the mayonnaise, eggs, milk, sour cream and vanilla extract.
Add the wet ingredients into the dry ones and whisk until just combined.
Divide the batter between 3 lined baking moulds. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/356°F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Mix the whipping cream with whipping cream stabilizer until soft peaks, then add cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla extract and whip until stiff peaks.
Stack the cake by layering sponge cakes and frosting each one with a layer of whipped cream cheese.
Refrigerate the cake overnight.
Mayonnaise Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, instant coffee, baking soda, baking powder and half a teaspoon of salt.
- Separately whisk together the mayonnaise, eggs, milk, sour cream and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients into the dry ones and whisk until just combined.
- Divide the batter between 3 lined baking moulds. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Mix the whipping cream with whipping cream stabilizer until soft peaks, then add cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla extract and whip until stiff peaks.
- Stack the cake by layering sponge cakes and frosting each one with a layer of whipped cream cheese.
- Refrigerate the cake overnight.
