Skillet fig cake topped with whipped cream
| |
| 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]Abuttermilk 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]abundt 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]
InOcracoke, 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]
