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Stop by the Discovery Station to learn more about what it took to make the Great Cake.

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Cost

Included with admission
Adults (Ages 12+): $28
Youth (Ages 6-11): $15
Children (Ages 0-5): Free

Free for Mount Vernon members

Located At

Historic Area

The Great Cake is one of the recipes enjoyed by the Washington Family at Mount Vernon. Many of the ingredients could be found here, but some of them came from all over the world. Stop by the Discovery Station to learn more about the ingredients, one of the people who made the cake, and how the recipe was passed on. While you are here, be sure to take home a recipe to try at home. 

Program is weather dependent. All ages welcome. 

Meet the Chef: Doll


Doll was an enslaved woman who worked as a cook in Mount Vernon's kitchens for many years.

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The Great Cake

This is one of the few surviving recipes directly associated with Martha Washington. Great cake likely would have been served as part of a grand Christmas dinner or Twelfth Night party.

Great Cake Recipe
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A Family Recipe

The Great Cake recipe was recorded by Martha Washington's granddaughter, Martha Parke Custis. She wrote the recipe down and passed it down in her family. 

Recording a Family Recipe