Election day can be described in many ways: stressful, overwhelming, anxiety-inducing — and the list goes on.But in Hartford, Connecticut, it's a piece of cake — specifically a mutli-tiered red, white and blue patriotic cake decorated with an American flag, stars and a bald eagle made entirely of frosting.This masterpiece won the annual Election Cake Bake-Off at Connecticut's Old State House in Harford, CT.Nicole Sousa, the events and outreach manager at the Old State House, told Morning Edition about the Bake Off and rich tradition behind it.Election cake first appeared in Hartford, in 1771, when the northeast United States was still a collection of 13 original colonies.
Connecticut was a pioneer in early self-government, and it was one of the only regions who could elect their own officials."It was definitely something that Connecticut, as a colony and then later as a state, celebrated and really felt attached to," Sousa said.So, election day was joyous.It was marked with parties, parades and community-wide celebrations — often involving cake.But election cakes looked nothing like they do now.
At that time, the iconic cakes resembled a tough, fruit cake, often soaked in alcohol.Plus, this cake definitely couldn't fit in your modern fridge.In the eighteenth century, Sousa said the cakes were made using 30 quarts of flour, ten pounds of butter, 14 pounds of sugar, 12 pounds of raisins, three dozen eggs and over a quart of wine or brandy.
Sousa said the massive cakes were baked to feed huge crowds of celebrating voters.Writer Amelia Simmons featured a scaled-down recipe for traditional election cake in American Cookery, which is widely recognized as the first American cookbook.More than 250 years later, Connecticut's Old State House hosted its fifth annual Election Cake Bake Off on Oct.26.
Professional pastry chefs and bakers were challenged to create a deliciously non-partisan, election-themed cake that inspires voters and celebrates American democracy."Th...