The 2026 Connecticut Election Cake Required 30 Quarts of Flour in 1771
A modern winner in the fifth annual bake-off at the Old State House features lemon blueberry layers and a fondant donkey, continuing a tradition that dates back to the colonial era.
By Harper Laurent ·
In colonial America, the act of voting was accompanied by large-scale communal feasts rather than the quiet solitude of modern ballot boxes. On Oct. 26, 2026, that historical tradition returned to Hartford, Connecticut, with the fifth annual Election Cake Bake-Off hosted by the Old State House.
The competition challenged professional pastry chefs and bakers to design a non-partisan cake that celebrates American democracy. A panel of judges evaluated the entries on presentation, creativity, and taste. The winner was designated the official Connecticut Election Cake of 2026 and received a commission to bake the Old State House birthday cake in 2027.
Sophia Grestini of Amy's Cakes LLC in Cheshire, Connecticut, won the title alongside her mother. Their entry consisted of four layers alternating between sweet lemon blueberry and traditional spiced sponge flavors. The exterior featured red, white, blue, and gold accents, along with symbols such as an "I voted" pin, a ballot box, and an American flag.
The design included handcrafted fondant figures of a donkey and an elephant on the second tier to represent the two major political parties. A bald eagle sculpted entirely from frosting sat atop the cake. Nicole Sousa, the events and outreach manager at the Old State House, described the event as joyous and stated that the goal is to bring that feeling back to Election Day.
The modern contest is a far cry from the original practice, which began in Hartford in 1771. At that time, Connecticut was one of the few regions in the 13 original colonies that could elect its own officials. Election Day was marked by parties, parades, and the consumption of massive cakes intended to feed large crowds of celebrating voters.
According to Sousa, these 18th-century cakes were dense fruit loaves often soaked in alcohol. A single cake required 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. Writer Amelia Simmons later included a scaled-down version of this recipe in American Cookery, widely recognized as the first American cookbook.
Sousa noted that while the bakers compete to win, they also participate out of a love for the history and the craft. She said the cakes are delicious, but the primary purpose of the contest is to demonstrate that voting is a contribution to the country and the community.
