The cake we know today is not the same as the 17th century. As the years passed, both bakers and chefs began to change the way a cake was prepared. The recipe for a simple vanilla cake essentially became the basis for other types of cakes. The basic cake recipe is like the trunk and roots of a tree while the other flavors and types of cake are the branches and leaves. Not only have we made changes to a cake recipe but we have changed its use. Nowadays cakes are used to celebrate a birthday, wedding and sometimes just used as a gift for people. In today's world people don't have the patience and persistence needed to make a cake from scratch, so they turn to simple baking methods like purchasing Betty Crocker cake mix; even if it's convenient, making a cake from scratch will always have a richer flavor. Making a cake from scratch is not an easy task for a beginner. As Fannie Merritt Farmer states in her cookbook “The mixing and baking of a cake requires more care and judgment than any other branch of cooking; yet it seems to be the one attempted most frequently by the inexperienced.” (Farmer 497). His cookbook has been around since 1912 and his book is used in cooking schools around the world. Becoming a pastry chef is not an easy task, but with years of experience and the knowledge gained in school and working in different bakeries, cakes become so familiar that it's like you know them exactly like the back of your hand. It wasn't until 1947 that the Betty Crocker brand created and released convenient and economical dry mixes to make cooking easier. Women across America were thrilled. The debut mix was labeled Ginger Cake but would soon evolve into Gingerbread Cake and Cookie Mix. Devil's Fo......middle of paper......story of Cake Decorating. Network. March 13, 2012. "History of the birthday cake, Origin of birthday cakes, History of the birthday cake." Birthday Gifts, Anniversary Gifts, Sending Flowers to India, Rakhi Gifts, Diwali Gifts, Sending Gifts to India. Network. 19 March 2012. "Health and lifestyle". History of cake decorating. Network. March 22, 2012. .Elliot, Sara. “Who made the first cake?” TLC. Network. March 22, 2012. "Over 50 Years of Cake Mix Success: Cook'n's Best Recipe for Over 50 Years of Cake Mix." Recipe software. Network. March 22. 2012. .