Tomorrow, October 10, is National Angel Food Cake Day. I discovered this nugget of information when I began researching how the cake got its name. I never learned exactly where the name came from, other than what else would you call such a tasty, cloudlike treat? This delicious, fat-free dessert, containing fewer calories than many others, could only be “Food of the Angels.”

What I found more interesting than the name, though, is the history of the cake. (Although that’s not exactly clear either. There’s a lot of misinformation out there.)

The History

Most historians agree the cake originated here in the states, probably in the mid-1800s.

It was a very labor-intensive cake to make. It took a strong arm to whip air into the egg whites. So one theory proposes African American slaves in the south made it. (It was also the favorite post-funeral food after a traditional African American funeral.)

Another theory suggests the cake originated in southeastern Pennsylvania. The reasoning for this theory is twofold. One, because of the abundance of cake molds in the area, and two, because some believe the cake evolved from thrifty cooks who refused to waste the many egg whites left over from making noodles.

Whatever the truth, there’s one undeniable fact: Stiff egg whites are the key to producing this cake.

But not everyone could—or wanted to—whip the egg whites until they were stiff. At least, not until the invention of a new kitchen gadget leveled the cooking field. And on this fact, historians all agree. With the invention of the rotary eggbeater, anyone could easily stiffen egg whites and make this cake. As a result, its popularity skyrocketed.

Bonus “Did You Knows”

DYK so many people bought rotary eggbeaters every aspect of American cooking was affected?

DYK a “Dove Egg Beater” sold in the 1897 Sears Catalog for 9 cents?

DYK recipes for Angel Food Cake began showing up in cookbooks in the 1870s, soon after the invention of the rotary eggbeater?

DYK “Angel Cake” was the favorite dessert of first lady Lucy Webb Hayes? (She was the wife of nineteenth President, Rutherford B. Hayes.)

DYK Angel Food Cake is baked in a tube pan? The tube in the center and the tall, smooth sides allow the cake to rise higher.

DYK Angel Food Cake is made with no “fat” source, meaning no butter or oil? (That includes no oil on the pan’s sides.)

DYK some people find Angel Food Cake too plain and too virtuous? They solve this problem by enhancing it with a variety of garnishments, from healthy fresh fruit to the most scrumptious and fattening of toppings.

DYK one calorie-laden topping, called “Church Spread,” has no problem keeping this light, airy cake from floating away? Church Spread: 1 cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup marshmallow creme, and ½ cup smooth peanut butter mixed well. (Store in an air-tight container—if there’s any left.)