Connecticut bakers revive historic election cake tradition

Bakers in Connecticut and officials at the Old State House in Hartford marked the 2026 election cycle by celebrating a civic tradition that dates back to 1771. The annual Election Cake Bake-Off serves as a community event intended to bring a sense of joy to the election season.

Nicole Sousa, the events and outreach manager at the Old State House, noted the historical significance of the practice. She stated that the tradition was something the colony and later the state of Connecticut felt deeply attached to, as it originated when the colony was unique in its ability to elect its own officials rather than having them appointed by the British Crown.

Historically, election cakes were dense, yeast-raised fruitcakes often soaked in alcohol. These cakes were designed to sustain voters and visitors traveling to Hartford, sometimes measuring a yard across. The Old State House has continued to host the celebration for over 250 years to maintain this connection to the state's early civic history.