Election Cake, a Forgotten American Tradition

Yield: 16 servings

Election Cake, a Forgotten American Tradition

An old recipe for a cake that used to be served after voting in the US.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Bake Time 55 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

2/3 cup (150ml) warm water (105 to 115°F)
1 packages of active dry yeast (1/4 oz/7g)
4 cups (565g) all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
8 oz (2 sticks or 225g) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups (400g) firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (236ml) buttermilk
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 cup (145g) golden raisins
1/4 cup (35g) finely chopped dried cherries (use figs for the original recipe, or any dried fruit that you prefer)

For the Icing

1 1/2 cups (150g) confectioners sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp whisky (or brandy)
1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Grease and flour a bundt pan.

Prepare the Election Cake Batter in a Stand Mixer

Put warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer, then add the yeast, sprinkling it to cover the top. Sprinkle a pinch of sugar on top of the yeast and allow to stand for about 5 minutes.
Mix the flour with the baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg, then set aside.
If yeast has dissolved and is beginning to bubble, add the one cup of the flour mixture, stirring it in thoroughly. Add butter and mix well.
Next, add sugar, buttermilk, and vanilla and mix until well combined. Add the eggs and mix until just combined.Finally, mix in the flour, reserving one tablespoon. Toss the raisins and cherries in tablespoon of flour and then fold them into the cake batter. Skip the bread machine instructions below and continue afterwards.

or

Prepare the Election Cake Batter in a Bread Machine

Put the liquid ingredients into the bread machine pan: water, eggs, butter (make sure it's very soft-almost melted), buttermilk, and vanilla.
Next, add the dry, making sure to add the yeast last: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg, brown sugar, golden raisins, and dried cherries (or figs), the pinch of sugar and yeast. Start the bread machine on the "DOUGH" setting.

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When the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared pan. Loosely cover the bundt pan with a tea towel and allow to rise for about an hour or until risen (just below the top of the pan).

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake cake for 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Place pan on wire rack to cool, then carefully remove from the bundt pan after a few minutes.

Icing

In a medium sized bowl, whisk the confectioners sugar, whisky, and vanilla until smooth. Start with 2 tablespoons of liquor and the vanilla. Add more whisky or brandy to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle or spoon over the top of the cake when completely cool. Serve to voters after they have done their civic duty.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 294Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 150mgCarbohydrates: 64gFiber: 2gSugar: 37gProtein: 5g

Nutrition information is only an estimate.