Happy cake is a tropical fruit cake invented by a Hawaiian restaurateur in 1967. It is often referred to as Hawaii's version of a fruit cake.Kasher, Robert (2005). Tropical Bob's Where to Eat in Hawaii. Perpetual Summer Publishing. P. 86. The Happy Cake is made from pineapple, macadamia nuts, and coconut.
History The happy cake was invented at Kemo'o Farms Restaurant in Wahiawa, Hawaii in 1967 by Dick Rodby, owner of the restaurant famous for live Hawaiian music. The restaurant was also featured as "Choys" tavern in the Frank Sinatra film From Here to Eternity.
Surrounded by pineapple fields, Rodby was inspired to create his own version of a Hawaiian fruit cake and named it the "happy cake" registering the trademark Happy Cake in September 1969. Cakes were ordered from all over the country as gifts and were popular in Hawaiian themed parties.”Benefit Features Polynesian Theme” The Daily Register, Red Bank – Middleton, New Jersey. August 1st, 1972. P. 11. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
Ingredients The happy cake is a dense cake, made from local pineapple, macadamia nuts, and coconut.
Fame Over the years customers have included presidents and Hollywood elite. Rodby opened a sister restaurant in California in 1982 to also promote and sell the Hawaiian happy cake.Lodi News Sentinel, November 10, 1982. P. 11. Retrieved 2012-02-07. Baked in Honolulu, the happy cake still remains popular with local Hawaiians.
See also
List of regional dishes of the United States
References
External links