Medieval European bakers often made fruitcakes and gingerbread. These foods could last for many months. According to the food historians, the precursors of modern cakes, round ones with icing, were first baked in Europe sometime in the mid-17th century. Early cakes in England were also essentially bread: the most obvious differences
between a cake and bread were the round, flat shape of the cakes and the cooking method, which turned cakes over once while cooking, while bread was left upright throughout the baking process.
Sponge cakes, leavened with beaten eggs, originated during the Renaissance, possibly in Spain. It is believed that the first actual birthday cake was made in Germany.