Created in Michigan: Sanders ‘Bumpy Cakes’
That’s right – Bumpy Cakes. Ever had one? Ever heard of ‘em? They’ve been around for well over 100 years and were created here in Michigan.
Created by Fred Sanders of the Sanders chocolate company, this cake was a unique confectionary treat that he made in 1912 to honor his father, who loved chocolate cake. Fred took his traditional chocolate cake recipe and was determined to do something different with it. He tested different options and finally came across the idea for buttercream ridges on top. Then he poured chocolate over the whole thing and his creation was born.....he called it “Devil’s Food Buttercream Cake”.
He made a handful of these and displayed them to the public. After a while, customers began asking for “the cake with the bumps," so the name was changed to “Chocolate Bumpy Cake”.
Unfortunately for Fred, he passed away before he witnessed his creation becoming a Michigan favorite.
Fred was born Fred Sanders Schmidt in Germany, and his family moved to America when he was a toddler. As a young man and adult, he studied confectionaries and opened his first confection shop in Chicago. It didn’t last long, as it was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1871.
Moving to Detroit, Fred opened his first confectionery shop in Detroit on Woodward Avenue, where eventually the Bumpy Cake was created.
After a short hiatus earlier in the 21st Century, Sanders once again began making more ‘Bumpy Cakes’, which continue to delight Michiganders throughout the year.
Sanders Bumpy Cakes: Made in Michigan
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