Election Cake Bake-Off in Hartford Brings Sweet History Back to Voting Day

Election Day and cake don’t usually share a sentence, but Connecticut is changing that one slice at a time. Hartford’s Old State House just hosted its fifth annual Election Cake Bake-Off, where professional bakers compete to create the most creative, non-partisan cake celebrating American democracy. This year’s big winner was a mother-daughter team from Amy’s Cakes LLC in Cheshire, whose four-layer lemon blueberry and spiced sponge cake featured fondant donkey and elephant figures and a bald eagle sculpted entirely from frosting.

The tradition behind the contest is older than the country itself. Election cake dates to 1771, when Connecticut colonists celebrated their rare ability to elect their own officials with parades, parties, and enormous alcohol-soaked fruitcakes. Original recipes called for staggering amounts of ingredients like 30 quarts of flour and 12 pounds of raisins. The bake-off revives that spirit for modern audiences, pairing civic pride with serious baking skills. The winning team earns a commission to make the Old State House’s birthday cake in 2027.

Organizers say the goal is simple: bring joy back to Election Day. Instead of doomscrolling and stress, think frosting, friendly competition, and a history lesson wrapped in dessert. Would you try baking a cake to celebrate voting day? Tell us what flavor you’d pick.