Early American settlers had to do what they could with whatever ingredients they could find when it came to culinary undertakings. And while comforts of home like British puddings and pies couldn’t be replicated in the wild frontier, ravenous settlers found ways to create equally satisfying dishes out of fruits, butter, sugar, and flour.
When buckle cake was first served, it wasn’t limited to an after-dinner treat. Buckle cake appeared as the main course itself, as an appetizer, or served at breakfast to get the day started. Why is it called buckle cake? The topping placed on top of the batter before it is placed into the oven can result in noticeable indentations, a literal buckling of the cake as the batter warms and bakes. While some bakers carefully set fruit in patterns that will result in attractive and intentional designs, others simple sprinkle fruit on top of the batter and leave the cake’s appearance to culinary chance.
