Sunday
Jul202008
Cake For Breakfast: Observations on a Forbidden Treat
Sunday, July 20, 2008 
Cake for breakfast. The phrase strikes a shiver of happiness in our very souls. We're talking serious cake here--frosted, maybe layered, as in a slice of birthday or wedding cake--or a cupcake would do, of course. It's the ultimate luxury--far more indulgent than any doughnut, far more delicious than any muffin could ever aspire to be. Everyone does it sometimes--and yet, most are covert about this pleasure, only admitting it in a slightly embarrassed way, as if frightened it might be a problem (as you can see from this posting on Apartment Therapy). Well, we say, no more embarrassment! We took it upon ourselves to explore this phenomenon and muse on its appeal--and also came up with a quick list of justifications for why it's just fine to eat cake for breakfast:
Cake for breakfast: Theories on its appeal
Proximity: Well, the obvious reason is that it's simply there. It will probably be the first thing in the fridge you see in the morning, and definitely the most festive. Which leads to our next point...
Visual Appeal: Really, the sea of beige-toned breakfast choices out there--oatmeal, toast, cereal--doesn't stand a chance against a festively frosted cake. We defy you to eat your toast and be happy knowing full well there's cake in the fridge.
Temperature: In many, but not all, cases, the cake has been stored in the fridge and is most likely cold. To some, this is a detriment. To others (those who truly understand), this is an opportunity for a truly sublime culinary experience. Taking a bite of cold cake, at first one only tastes coldness. But then something happens--a buttery flavor blossoms in the mouth. A wave of creamy sweetness takes over. This may be as close to heaven as one can possibly get while still on earth.
Cake for breakfast: Why you should just do it
It will keep you sane: You can't deprive yourself all of the time. If you wake up craving cake and instead eat something virtuous like oatmeal, it's likely that you'll still be craving the cake all day. This will undoubtedly lead to idly munching various non-cake items throughout the day in an effort to fill the void. Really, you should have just had the cake. So have it!
Of course, if the cake in question is a cupcake, you could always call it a muffin.
It tastes better the next day: Letting the cake sit overnight will allow certain flavors to develop, and some say it tastes better the next day. You've got to see for yourself somehow; why not figure it out first thing in the morning?
Because Bill Cosby Says So: Bill Cosby says it's ok to eat chocolate cake for breakfast--"it has eggs. It has milk. It has wheat. Nutritious!". Coming from the man who made pudding pops part of our everyday language, this is not advice to be taken lightly.
It will give you energy: As Cakespy reader Jessie K says, "cake is good anytime of the day...but having it for breakfast is just a fun sugar rush when you need it most." We concur. Try to get that kind of energy burst from a granola bar.
It pairs well with coffee: Is there anything more beautiful than the symphony of tastes that occurs when cake and coffee are combined?
It will be delicious: 'Nuff said!
tagged cakespy mischief
cakespy mischief
Reader Comments (67)
Isn't every time cake time? Just sayin'....
Ah, cake for breakfast...reminds me of the fabulous 1st morning of marriage my husband and I enjoyed 8-1/2 years ago in a lovely honeymoon suite: wedding cake, strawberries, and champagne -- in a jacuzzi! I assume a happy marriage is another reason to indulge in cake for breakfast!
Best, Sherron
oh these cakes are very pretty! i love the frosting. so delicate and fairy-like. not to mention your cute little cupcake cartoon is adorable as always!
p/s. cake for breakfast is awesome. x
Mmm...I haven't had breakfast yet, and now I wish I had cake sitting around here. Cake for breakfast sounds delightful!
ice-cold devil's food cake and refrigerator-brewed iced tea: breakfast of the gods.
and now, even though it's been over 90 for six days, i must make chocolate cake so i can have it for breakfast tomorrow.
Umm... I love you?
Oh yes, cake for breakfast. I know it well. Whenever I have cake in the house leftover I will eat it for breakfast. But, it's only because I have to. You see, I suffer from leftoveritis. Yes, it's a debilitating disease that doesn't allow me to eat any food that is over 48 hours old. So, you see I have to eat that cake for breakfast...and lunch...sometimes for dinner...oh, and snack of course.
Can't argue with the Cos.
jennifer
www.oyecookie.com
I sooo want to have cake for breakfast, I really do. I want to be super-bad, but...I just...can't. It's like when I was 9 and reallly wanted to punch the girl next door but knew I couldn't really go through with my threat to put her lights out. Or when I was 13 and said that was it, I was buying a bus ticket and moving to the coast...but was concerned about where I would wash my underpants. Or when I was 15 and really wanted to just come home with a nose-ring even though I was told in no uncertain terms that I was dead meat if I did such a thing. And all those times I bought cigarettes but could never bring myself to light one. I totally want to be bad and have cake for breakfast, but I guess the dorky nutritionist in me just knows better. (or, I still think my mom might be watching)
Here in Portugal having cake for breakfast is very comun. Usually people that have breakfast outside their houses go to bakeries for an expresso and a cake. Here's a link you might like to spy on about the kind of cakes people eat around here: http://www.fabricoproprio.net/
I had the last slice of pineapple upside down cake for breakfast today. Not only did it have milk and eggs and wheat, it had fruit!
However, my boyfriend always looks at me funny whenever I eat cake in the morning. I've explained to him that people have frosted cake donuts for breakfast all the time, so why not just eat the real thing?
I agree, cake is the perfect breakfast food! screw cereal!
I absolutely positively and completely AGREE!
PS...although above, I claim to be pretty lily-white and pure when it comes to breakfast rules, I just remembered...in my very first living-away-from-home apartment, my housemates and I had a rule: it was ok to come home late and eat some of the left-over cake/ cookies/ brownies...but you had to leave the person who baked them enough for breakfast. heh...oops...
Oh my gosh, I love cake for breakfast. Especially before my kids are awake to share it with me. :)
I hate to admit it but Pepperidge Farm Coconut cake is one of my favorites to eat cold. sooooooo good!
I actually find that cake tastes better cold, it almost reminds me of ice cream...but cake and ice cream for breakfast? That's even better, because, you see, you have your calcium from the ice cream, then you have the eggs in the cake, and the carbs...hehe ;) (I'm in total agreement with Mr. B Cosby!)
I'm not much of a cake-eater... except at breakfast. If there's cake in the house, that's when I'll eat it. The effects last the whole day!
This cake looks amazing!! Do you have a recipe to share, by any chance?? :)
There's nothing wrong with cake for breakfast - or pie, or cookies, or brownies...
I like to have cake and coffee for my mid-morning snack. I eat a lot of snacks.
When we were kids we once had chocolate cake for breakfast on my fathers birthday (his idea) - he even quoted Bill Cosby (as you have!) We realised then what a cool dad we had!
It probably is healthier than a lot of the breakfast foods out there, and besides, if the Cos says so and it's pink, it's got to be good, right?
I need that little cake time cutout so that I can wave it around every day!
Cake and pie, perfect for breakfast especially when they contain fruit, or serve it alongside.
http://thewiseparent.blogspot.com/
Pumpkin: Thanks! And yes, a wise mom indeed!
WendyB: Those people, sadly, DO exist.
Ricki: Yay!
Monkee: Thank you so much!
Krysta: I wish I was one of those kids!
Lisa: Yay!!! Glad you saw it!!
Surcie: You're so right--that is true here too!
Geggie: I was not in Atlanta! Thank goodness, that show is killer!
TW: I think it always WAS!
Isa: A girl after our hearts!
Anamika: Good to see you again!
Anonymous: Ooh, I like the idea of toasted--I do like a nice crisping around the edge...as for the rest, now you can have coffee, cigarettes AND cake--like a triple threat!
Bakerella: So true. You're a brave lady to admit it!
Stickygooey: Couldn't agree more.
Melisser: I like that--"Wake and cake"! T shirts?
Passionate: Ha! You're too funny!
Caked crusader: I couldn't agree more on that point.
Aran: What part of it is "cheating"?
Veggiegirl: Yes, I believe that is how the saying goes!
Grace: Glad to validate it!
EB: Oh, we're all with you on that one.
Anonymous: Ohhh my. A marriage guaranteed to stay sweet!!!
Diva: Glad you enjoyed!
Jeanine: Go get some!
Ana Dane: Cake knows no temperature constraints. I command you to make some.
Caviar and Codfish: We love you too.
Cheryl: Ah, leftoveritis (puts on a serious face). I prescribe cake!
Jennifer: So true.
Amanda: Never have I seen someone in deeper need of cake for breakfast!! Just do it!
Clumbsy Cookie: That's it, we're moving to portugal!
Lina: Screw cereal! YEAH!
Jaimee: Yay!
Stephanie: Ooh, I don't think I have had that kind! Sounds nice though!
Sophie: I love cold cake personally, though I can't speak for the others here.
Leigh Anne: What kinda cake do you wanna make? The one I have shown? I can send you the recipe.
Jesse: Yessss! It's the best breakfast for sure!
Deborah: Nothing at all! We don't have a problem.
Feathermar: Dessert after breakfast, we dig.
Kat: Fantastic! What a perfect dad!!
Jeanna: You're so right.
Y: I can make you one if you want!
Parenting story: I don't know, that sounds suspiciously healthy...