It's meant to be taken internally--although not in cakes.

Won't you tell Mrs.Allan so, Marilla ?" "Suppose you jump up and tell her so yourself," said a merry voice.
Anne flew up, to find Mrs.Allan standing by her bed, surveying her with laughing eyes.
"My dear little girl, you mustn't cry like this," she said, genuinely disturbed by Anne's tragic face.

"Why, it's all just a funny mistake that anybody might make." "Oh, no, it takes me to make such a mistake," said Anne forlornly.

"And I wanted to have that cake so nice for you, Mrs.Allan." "Yes, I know, dear.

And I assure you I appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness just as much as if it had turned out all right.