Frog Cakes, the cute amphibian treats and South Australian icons.

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5 years ago Nathan

Here we are:

Australia is home to more than 200 magnificent species of frogs, including one really delicious, comprised almost entirely of sugar! The frog cake is a sweet treat in the shape of a crouched frog, so beloved in its native Adelaide that it was recently deemed a South Australian Heritage Icon. At its heart, the frog has two pieces of sponge cake joined by a thin layer of jam and topped with a scoop of buttercream. To transform this pastry into a frog, bakers coat everything with green fondant icing, add a slit in the creamy head to create a mouth, and top it off with two tiny fondant eyes.

It was first created by the Adelaide-based Balfours Bakery in 1922, and it seems that Gordon Balfour was inspired by the fanciful confectionery he came across during a trip to Europe. At first, the bakery made exclusively green frog cakes, but they later created pink and brown varieties, as well as special colours for particular occasions, for example, red frogs for Christmas, or customized colors for local soccer teams. Frog Cakes, produced by Balfours Bakeries, were officially recognised as a South Australian icon in 2001.