May Day, or Beltane, a
festivity dating back to ancient times; rejoicing the season of Spring,
impending Summer, and the abundance that is promised to come. Of all cultures who acknowledged this holiday,
the Celts and Druids of the British Isles are most known for it, and the
dancing round the May Pole. However,
this is where history becomes “like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey
stuff” with Brits, Germanic tribes and newly Christian Romans intertwining.
In Britain, May Day customarily
saw the setting of new fire; thought to lend life to the ever lengthening sun.
Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them, while men and their
sweethearts passed through the smoke for good luck. With the invasion by Germanic tribes, the
ritual of the may pole symbolized the “male appendage” placed into the “female
opening” of the earth. I’m being
delicate in the description here, but I’m sure you get the gist of the
rite. Anyway, then came along the Roman
armies, newly baptized into Christianity; and what better way to get
nonbelievers on your side then to incorporate some of their beliefs into
yours. Throughout the Middle Ages, every
village had a may pole; the Puritans condemned the practice, but it came back
once they were thrown out of England and sent to newly discovered America.
Jumping into the 20th
century, celebrating May Day became a huge part of New Age/Pagan paths as the
“weefolk” or fairies were most active on Beltane Eve. To appease them, and guarantee harvests were
not messed with (fairies are mischievous, you know), feasts were served with
much singing, dancing and “under the cover of night” activities. Personally, my husband and I participated in
the annual Fairie Festival at Spoutwood Farm which featured vendors,
magicians, dancers and music by Clann An Drumma, Scots Gaelic for
"Children of the Drum", a tribal band from Glasgow, Scotland, and
Blackmore’s Night featuring Candice Night and Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple,
Rainbow). Dressing up in costume was not
required, but added to the experience; and yes, we did dress up, including
rather good British accents.
Now speaking of fairies
and feasting, Fairy Cakes, as they’re referred to in the United Kingdom, are
smaller versions of what Americans call cupcakes. While they are mostly served
to children, they can be enjoyed at tea shops, or as part of the daily “tea
time” faire. The name, Fairy Cake, refers to the look of the little cake; the
top carefully scooped off, cut in half, and placed on top of the icing to
simulate the wings of a fairy. The icing itself is typically butter cream which
will stay fluffy, and not dry out and harden; food coloring can be added to
different batches. Small edible decorations, or sprinkled colored sugar, may or
may not adorn the little cakes.
Basic Cupcake Recipe
Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup milk
1 cup self-rising flour
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375F. Line
2 – 12 cup mini muffin pans with mini baking cups.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and
sugar. Add one egg at a time and beat until well incorporated; add vanilla
extract and slowly add milk till smooth.
Gradually mix in flour
into bowl; scrape sides to incorporate all ingredients well.
Fill each baking cup ¾
full; bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool before frosting.
Makes 24 mini cupcakes.
Buttercream Frosting
This white frosting can be
divided into batches and made into different colors using food coloring.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter,
softened
3 cups confectioners’
sugar
½ tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
4 Tbsp. heavy whipping
cream
Preparation:
In a large bowl, medium
speed, beat butter till smooth. Add in confectioner’s sugar; reduce speed to
low and incorporate well into butter. Increase
speed back to medium, add in salt, vanilla extract and cream; beat for 3
minutes.
If frosting needs a
stiffer consistency, gradually add more confectioners’ sugar; if it needs to be
thinner, add a tablespoon of heavy cream till desired consistency is achieved.
Makes 2 ½ cups.
To Make the Fairy Cakes
Using a tablespoon,
carefully carve out top center of each cupcake; cut in half and set aside.
Fill scooped out center
with frosting and finish off entire top of cupcake with frosting. Place cake
halves on top, standing upward, and “brush” some frosting upwards from the
bottom of the halves. This will give the appearance of “feathered” wings.
Colored sugar or edible
decorations can be placed on the frosting.
What a fun and delicious
way to celebrate May Day!
Spoutwood Farm Center
4255 Pierceville Rd.
Glen Rock, PA 17327
Phone: (717) 235-6610
Looking for perfect
examples of authentically British Fairie Cakes, go to: http://fabandwicked.co.uk/
Mary Cokenour
