Put Down that Cake and Go Vote!

Apparently Election Day was once a festive holiday in 18th and 19th c. New England, its prime feature being Election Cake and assorted "feel good" food. ( The " fun is no good" Puritans couldn't eat and be merry on more traditional liturgical holidays. )

That feel good feeling would be lovely to invite back in, wouldn't it? Maybe I will bake this cake, and gobble it up while watching the returns.

According to an entry on Catholic Culture.org ( who knows why?),

"Election night supper was always a festive meal which featured such delicacies as homemade sausages, creamed potatoes — made with real cream and plenty of butter — pickles, relishes, and hot soda biscuits with fruit preserves. The meal ended with Election Cake and several kinds of pie. "

... "there are many versions of Election Cake, the crowning glory of New England's holiday festivities. This cake — a cross between fruit cake and fruit-filled yeast bread — keeps a long time when wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator. A century and a half ago, housewives made the cake in quantities large enough to last the winter. There was enough fruit and brandy in the original Hartford variety to ensure freshness for several months. The cake was sliced and offered with wine or eggnog."                                                               

( Above:  Ann Fee of Mankato, MN, shows off  her Election Cake in 2000.)

The recipe, fortunately, contains booze.

" DIRECTIONS

Scald milk, add white sugar. When lukewarm add yeast, stir, and set aside for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of flour, beat thoroughly and let rise in greased covered bowl until double in bulk (about 1 hour).

Cream butter and brown sugar until very light. Then add egg and brandy and beat vigorously. Add to raised yeast mixture and stir.

Dredge fruits with 2 tablespoons of the flour. Then sift together remaining flour with salt and spices and add to other mixture gradually, beating after each addition. If batter is too thin, a little more flour may be added. Work in fruits last of all.

Put dough in well-greased floured bread pan, or in 9- to 10-inch tube pan. Let rise, covered, in warm place until double in bulk (about 1 1/4 hours). Bake about 45 minutes in moderate oven (375° F.).

Some cooks prefer Election Cake decorated like fruit cake, others like a butter icing which, when ornamented with candied fruits, has a truly festive appearance. For the first type of decoration arrange candied cherries, citron, and other fruits on top of the dough before baking. A sheet of foil placed over the loaf will prevent scorching.

When frosting is used let the loaf cool thoroughly before spreading top and sides. Use Orange or Lemon Frosting. "