The Almost-Forgotten Election Cake: Reviving a Sweeter Side of Election Day

This boozy, yeast-raised spice cake brought together communities and celebrated civic engagement in America’s early days.
The Almost-Forgotten Election Cake: Reviving a Sweeter Side of Election Day
Cinnamon, coriander, and allspice give this old-fashioned cake its distinct flavor. Jennifer McGruther
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Nervous about election season this year? You’re not the only one. But no matter which way the vote swings this November, there will always be cake. A once-forgotten cake is making a comeback, just in time for Election Day.

You may not know it, but at one time, cake served a vital role on Election Day. Appropriately named election cake, this centuries-old boozy spice cake was once baked in quantities large enough to feed a town. More than a dessert, it honors American culinary heritage and the bond of communities through food. It recalls a time when civic engagement united people in the most delicious way possible.

Jennifer McGruther
Jennifer McGruther
Author
Jennifer McGruther is a nutritional therapy practitioner, herbalist, and the author of three cookbooks, including “Vibrant Botanicals.” She’s also the creator of NourishedKitchen.com, a website that celebrates traditional foodways, herbal remedies, and fermentation. She teaches workshops on natural foods and herbalism, and currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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