From Oven to Ovation: The Churchill Cake Challenge
In 1946, a celebrated home chef baked a cake for Winston Churchill and his guests. Now it’s your turn.
Recreate the original recipe, add your own creative twist, and compete for the title of Churchill Cake Champion.
How it Works
- Bake the historic 1946 cake
- Add a unique twist to make it your own
- Bring it to the Historic Gymnasium
- Impress our judges
- Win prizes and bragging rights
Event Details
Thursday, March 5 Historic Gymnasium
- Cake Drop-Off: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- Winners Announced: 6:30 p.m.
Prizes awarded for:
- First Place
- Second Place
- Honorable Mention
Contest Judges
- The Hon. Joe Holt
- David Arnold Backer
- Bob Wise
- Donald “Doc” Kritzer, grandson of the celebrated 1946 baker
The Story Behind the Original Recipe
Mrs. Roy “Sportie” Anthony (March 30, 1898 – Feb. 17, 1986) baked the original cake that wowed Winston Churchill in 1946.
She later told The New York Herald Tribune:
“Worried? Why, no. I’ve never had a failure, so why would I now, when it’s for Mr. Churchill?”
Her grandson, local legend Donald “Doc” Kritzer, now helps carry on that legacy as one of our contest judges.
Recipe
The Original Churchill-Truman Day Cake Recipe From the Files of Mrs. Roy “Sportie” Anthony
Angel Food Cake
Makes 1 (10-inch) cake
12 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Combine egg whites and salt and beat until foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until whites cling to the bowl. Gradually fold in the sugar, adding a little at a time. Fold in flour in the same way. Add flavorings and continue folding a few minutes longer. Turn into ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Place in cold oven and bring to 325 degrees. Bake for 1 hour. Remove cake from oven and invert on a wire rack until cold. Frost with Seven-Minute Icing (see recipe below).
Per serving: 148 calories (none from fat), trace total fat (trace saturated fat), no cholesterol, 33 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein, 78 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber.
Seven-Minute Icing
7/8 cup sugar
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
3 tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla (save until end)
Double boiler
Place all (except vanilla) in top of double boiler over hot water. Beat with electric mixer on high speed for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Beat 2 more minutes.
鈥淲hy put on a poor imitation of entertaining in New York or London? We will plan a nice company meal with our own kinds of foods. We will serve it our own way.鈥
Ida Belle McCluer, wife of Westminster President Franc McCluer, on coordination of meals for Winston Churchill's March 5, 1946 visit to campus.