How Election Cake Became an American Tradition
Every election season brings tension, excitement, and anticipation, but in early America, it also brought cake.
Election Cake, a yeasted fruit cake flavored with brandy, wine, and spices.
Image credit: AdobeStock_861836924
The Election Cake, a yeasted fruit cake flavored with brandy, wine, and spices, was once baked in huge batches to celebrate Election Day.
The tradition began in colonial Connecticut, particularly in Hartford, where elections were multi-day gatherings. Voters traveled long distances, and towns turned the event into a celebration complete with parades, speeches, and, of course, cake.
Women played a central role in the festivities by baking enormous batches of Election Cake to feed travelers and celebrate the occasion.
The Original Election Cake Recipe
The earliest written version appeared in Amelia Simmons’ 1796 cookbook, American Cookery, the first cookbook authored in the United States. Her recipe was truly monumental, calling for:
- 30 quarts of flour
- 10 pounds of butter
- 14 pounds of sugar
- Generous helpings of brandy and wine
Clearly, this wasn’t just dessert; it was a symbol of abundance and unity.
Why Election Cake Was Unique
Unlike typical cakes of its time, the Election Cake utilized yeast instead of baking powder, resulting in a light, bread-like texture.
It was filled with raisins or currants and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
When baked in massive stone ovens, the cake perfumed entire neighborhoods, a scent that marked the start of Election Day festivities.
From the Polls to the Kitchen: The Decline and Revival
As elections became more formalized and travel less arduous, the communal aspect faded, and the tradition of Election Cake slowly disappeared.
Yet in recent years, it has found new life among home bakers, food historians, and anyone interested in reconnecting with early American traditions.
Baking an Election Cake today offers more than a delicious reward; it’s a tangible connection to history.
The process — proofing the yeast, folding in the fruit, letting the dough rest overnight — invites reflection and patience.
Sharing the finished cake with friends or neighbors feels almost ceremonial, echoing the original spirit of togetherness.
How to Bake an Election Cake Today
If you’d like to bring this forgotten custom to your own table, try making your own Election Cake this season.
In his Tasting History episode, Max Miller adapts the centuries-old recipe for modern kitchens.
He carefully scales down the recipe while keeping its essential flavors intact. He preserves its defining features, such as yeast for leavening, raisins or currants, and a splash of brandy and wine for richness.
The result is a fragrant, spiced cake that bridges the gap between a bread and a fruitcake.
For Max’s full recipe and video tutorial, see Election Cake for 1796 – Tasting History with Max Miller.
Election Cake Connects Food, History & Democracy
Whether you bake it to celebrate Election Day, share with your community, or honor a piece of American heritage, Election Cake is a reminder that democracy has always been about gathering, sharing, and connecting.
