Type | Cake |
---|---|
Course | Dessert |
Serving temperature | Cold or warmed |
Main ingredients | Fig fruit and cake batter |
Similar dishes | Fruitcake |
Fig cake ( Greek: sikopita) is a cake prepared with fig as a primary ingredient. [1] Some preparation variations exist. It is a part of the cuisine of the Southern United States, Greek cuisine, and the Appalachian Mountains region of North America. It is also a part of the cuisine of Ocracoke, North Carolina, which has an annual fig festival.[ citation needed]
Fig cake is prepared with fig as a main ingredient. Additional ingredients include typical cake ingredients, along with unique ingredients such as pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. [1] [2] [3] [4] Fig cake may be a moist cake, and may be topped with a fig-based sauce, honey, whipped cream or a glaze. [3] [5] [6] A buttermilk glaze is used atop some fig cakes. [6] [7] Figs may be used to garnish the cake. [3] Fig cake may be prepared as a pudding cake, [8] a bundt cake, a layer cake and as a torte cake. It can be prepared as a gluten-free dish. [9] Fig cake may be baked in a skillet. Fig tarts may be prepared using fig as a primary ingredient. [10]
Fig cake is a part of the cuisine of the Southern United States[ citation needed] and a part of Greek cuisine, in which it is referred to as sikopita.[ citation needed] Fig preserves is sometimes used in the preparation of fig cakes and sikopita. [2]
Fig cake and similar cakes have traditionally been served in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States as a part of Old Christmas celebrations. [11] In this region, Old Christmas is celebrated through January 6 each year. [11] January 6th is the date of the arrival of the biblical Wise Men in Bethlehem. [11] Fig cake, along with similar cakes such as jam cake, prune cake and applesauce cake, are common in this region during the Christmas and holiday season. [11]
In Ocracoke, North Carolina, figs and fig cake are a prominent part of the town's cuisine, and the town has an annual fig festival that includes a fig cake contest. [2] In Ocracoke, the cake was first prepared by Margaret Garrish sometime in the 1950s or 1960s, and the recipe was picked up by others in the town. [2] Fig cake is served at several restaurants in Ocracoke. [2]