<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Cookbook: Birthday cake Media: Birthday cake </Td> </Tr> <P> A birthday cake is a cake eaten as part of a birthday celebration in many world traditions . Variations of the typical birthday cake include birthday cupcakes, cake pops, pastries, and tarts . While there is not a universal standard regarding taste, birthday cakes are often vanilla -, chocolate -, or strawberry - flavored . They are also baked in a variety of shapes and decorated in one color or multiple colors with icing or fondant . </P> <P> Birthday cakes have been a part of birthday celebrations in Western European countries since the middle of the 19th century . However, the link between cakes and birthday celebrations may date back to ancient Roman times . </P> <P> In classical Roman culture,' cakes' were occasionally served at special birthdays and at weddings . These were flat circles made from flour and nuts, leavened with yeast, and sweetened with honey . </P>

When did the tradition of birthday cakes start
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