Hartford bakers revive 1771 tradition with patriotic layer cakes

A mother-daughter team from Cheshire, Connecticut, won the fifth annual Election Cake Bake-Off held on Oct. 26 at the Old State House in Hartford. Sophia Grestini of Amy's Cakes LLC led the effort, which secured the title of official Connecticut Election Cake of 2026. The victory also grants the bakers a commission to create the Old State House's birthday cake in 2027.

The competition challenged professional pastry chefs and bakers to design a non-partisan, election-themed cake. Judges evaluated entries on presentation, creativity, and taste. The winning design featured four layers of alternating lemon blueberry and spiced sponge. The exterior included red, white, blue, and gold accents, along with symbols such as an I voted pin, a ballot box, and an American flag.

The second tier of the winning cake displayed handcrafted fondant figures of a donkey and an elephant to represent the two major political parties. A bald eagle sculpted entirely from frosting perched on top of the structure. Nicole Sousa, the events and outreach manager at the Old State House, described the event as a way to bring joy back to the voting process.

The tradition of election cake dates back to 1771 in Hartford. At that time, the region was one of the 13 original colonies and a pioneer in early self-government. Residents marked the day with parties, parades, and community-wide celebrations that often involved cake. Sousa noted that Connecticut celebrated this custom deeply, feeling a strong attachment to the practice.

Early election cakes differed significantly from modern versions. They resembled tough fruit cakes that were often soaked in alcohol. The ingredients required for these massive pastries were substantial. A typical eighteenth-century recipe called for 30 quarts of flour, 10 pounds of butter, 14 pounds of sugar, and 12 pounds of raisins. The recipe also included three dozen eggs and over a quart of wine or brandy.

These cakes were baked to feed large crowds of celebrating voters. They were too large to fit in a modern refrigerator. Writer Amelia Simmons included a scaled-down version of the traditional recipe in American Cookery. This book is widely recognized as the first American cookbook.

Sousa explained that the modern contest aims to replicate the communal feeling of the past. She stated that the bakers participated for the love of Election Day, baking, and the history of election cakes. She emphasized that the event should be fun and serve as a way to show contribution to the country and community.

The panel of judges scored the entries based on specific criteria. The winning team's approach combined historical references with contemporary baking techniques. The event took place at the Old State House, a site with deep historical roots in Connecticut's governance.

Grestini and her team focused on creating a visually striking and delicious confection. The cake featured specific patriotic elements that resonated with the theme of the competition. The win was announced at the conclusion of the bake-off on Oct. 26.