any of various sweet foods made from a basic mixture of flour and sugar, usu with fat, eggs, and a raising agent, and typically baked in a round, square, or oblong mould
(usu in combination) a flattened usu round mass of fried or baked savoury food
a fishcake
(usu in combination) a breadlike food made from an unleavened dough and usu baked or fried in small flat shapes
an oatcake
a block or crust of something solid, esp compacted or congealed matter
a cake of ice
cakes and ale
lively enjoyment
[with allusion to the words of Malvolio in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (II.iii.111): ‘Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?’]go/sell like hot cakes
to sell extremely quickly; to be very popular
[Middle English from Old Norse kaka]