Historic election cake makes a sweet comeback in modern times
The recipe for traditional election cake, which dates back to the 18th century, is gaining renewed popularity in the United States. This cake was traditionally associated with elections, attracting voters to the polls. Today, it symbolizes democracy.
4:44 PM EST, November 5, 2024
Election cake first appeared in 1796 in the cookbook "American Cookery" by Amelia Simmons. According to the original recipe, it was a yeast-based, buttery cake with the addition of a pint of wine and a quart of brandy. Its preparation took several days, and it stayed fresh for several weeks, which was significant in an era when voting results took a long time to be determined.
"Flour, yeast, sugar, spices, and dried fruits in whiskey are the basic ingredients of election cake," according to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), which published the recipe.
As explained by the American Historical Association, election cake gave women a sense of participation in democracy, even though at that time only white male landowners could vote. By selling the cakes on election day, women encouraged citizens to vote. The popularity of the cake declined at the beginning of the 20th century when suffragists began publicly demanding voting rights for women, which finally occurred in 1920.
"Make America Cake Again" campaign
In 1988, "The New York Times" investigated the history of election cake, comparing it to Italian panettone or Russian Easter kulich. Contemporary recipes vary, with some describing it as gingerbread sold at election places in New Hampshire and others as a type of sponge cake.
During the 2016 presidential election, the topic of election cake reemerged thanks to the "Make America Cake Again" campaign. This was a direct reference to Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again." A group of confectioners and bakers aimed to encourage citizens to participate in voting through this initiative. According to "Bon Appétit" magazine, this campaign contributed to the revival of interest in the traditional election pastry.
Before the 2020 elections, American media were again interested in the recipe. The culinary portal Eater published the latest version, emphasizing: "We may not have control over the election result, but we can control our cake consumption." In this way, the election cake became a symbol of involvement in the campaigns of both Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.
