Twelfth Cake unveiled as part of festive celebrations

Food historian Ivan Day has created a magnificent Twelfth Cake which was unveiled at Fairfax House, in York, yesterday as the centrepiece of the Christmas sideboard as part of the venue’s annual festive display which runs until January 2 next year.

The cake is faithful to the eighteenth century, and is made using period baking methods and decorated with lavish moulded sugar work using original carved wooden moulds.

Fairfax House specialises in the eighteenth century Christmas traditions and each year the house is decorated throughout with a stunning display of evergreens that shows the Georgians’ love of the natural world.

Twelfth cakes were elaborate creations, particularly popular in England between 1750 and 1850. During the Christmas holiday period, city confectioners would dress their windows with these cakes.

Hannah Phillip, Fairfax House director, said: “Fairfax House is a very special place at Christmas time.”