About Gil Marks

Gil Marks writes about the history of American Cakes for ToriAvey.com, revealing the history and culture of the United States through its classic treat. Gil is a leading authority on the history and culture of culinary subjects, as well as a James Beard Award-winning author, historian, chef and social worker. Read more...

Sour Cream Coffeecake

The history of sour cream coffee cake and a traditional recipe for this beloved coffee-time treat from food historian Gil Marks.

King Cake

A traditional recipe and history for Mardi Gras King Cake from food historian Gil Marks.

American Cakes – Molten Chocolate Cakes

Molten Chocolate Cakes History & Recipe – The Story Behind a Beloved Dessert from Food Historian Gil Marks Molten chocolate cake is a small, rich,Read More

American Cakes – Black Forest Cake

American Cakes – Black Forest Cake History by Gil Marks + Recipe from The History Kitchen — Editor’s Note: This post was written by GilRead More

American Cakes – Lane Cake

American Cakes – Lane Cake History and Recipe – History of Lane Cake and a Traditional Recipe for this Classic Southern Boozy Layer Cake FromRead More

American Cakes – New York Cheesecake

The history of cheesecake and a traditional recipe for New York Cheesecake from food historian Gil Marks on The History Kitchen “I’m quite partial toRead More

American Cakes – German Chocolate Cake

A traditional recipe and history for German Chocolate Cake from food historian Gil Marks German chocolate cake is a light brown chocolate-buttermilk cake sandwiched withRead More

American Cakes – Hummingbird Cake

Post by Gil Marks “The most beautiful bird in Jamaica, and some say the most beautiful bird in the world, is the streamer-tail or doctorRead More

American Cakes – Kentucky Bourbon Cake

History and a traditional recipe for Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Cake from food historian Gil Marks. Bourbon spiced cake filled with dried fruit and nuts. “‘BabooRead More

American Cakes – Red Velvet Cake

American Cakes: Red Velvet Cake – A traditional recipe and history for Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese or Whipped Roux Frosting from food historianRead More

American Cakes – Monkey Bread

The term monkey bread, initially referring to a loaf formed from pieces of yeast dough dipped into butter, seems to have emerged or was atRead More

American Cakes – Carrot Cake

Editor’s Note: When originally published, the authorship of this piece was incorrectly labeled due to a web glitch. It was fixed after a few hoursRead More

American Cakes – Boston Cream Pie

When I was a kid, Joe, I used to have a dream. I was locked up overnight in a pastry shop, and there was goodiesRead More

American Cakes – Cider Cake

What plant we in this apple-tree? Fruits that shall swell in sunny June, And redden in the August noon, And drop, when gentle airs comeRead More

American Cakes – Kolache

‘Show him the spiced plums, mother. Americans don’t have those,’ said one of the older boys. ‘Mother uses them to make kolaches,’ he added. Leo,Read More

American Cakes – Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake is a single layer basic yellow butter cake inverted after baking to reveal a glistening mosaic of caramelized canned pineapple. Any frostingRead More

American Cakes – Washington Cake

Washington cake is an early 19th century creamed cake (a variation of pound cake) flavored with spices and frequently raisins and dried currants. TheRead More

Strawberry Shortcake – A History & Recipe

In his American Cakes series on ToriAvey.com, Gil Marks shares with us the history of Strawberry Shortcake, as well as a recipe for this classicRead More