Two hundred and twenty years ago, Election Day was flooded with celebratory booze and delicacies. The election of 1796 was notable, as it was the first contested American election. George Washington refused to serve a third term, and while John Adams and Thomas Jefferson dueled for the presidency, Election Day cake circulated around the polls.

While women weren’t able to vote at the time, they scattered the sweet dish to sustain voters at poll. It was a channel for them to partake in the political culture. Amelia Simmons, author of “American Cookery,” published the first recipe for election cake in 1796. The spice cake is candidly dense, fragrant and textured with drunken fruits.

Simmons’ 1796 Election Cake ingredients:

•  30 quarts of flour
• 10 pounds of butter
• 14 pounds of sugar
• 12 pounds of raisins
• 3 dozen eggs
• 1 pint wine
• 1 quart brandy
• 4 ounces cinnamon
• 4 ounces fine colander seed
• 3 ounces allspice

Yet, this election cake was no foreigner to the kitchen. Prior to the American Revolution, colonial bakers concocted a similar spiced treat, coined “muster cake.” It was served for men training in the military, as they had been “mustered” by the British troops.

With the ratification of women’s suffrage in the 20th* century, Election Day cake ceased to be.

As of late, the cake is resurging in demand, as the true power of the delicacy lies not with alluring ingredients, but with its homage. Election Day cake sparked a “Make America Cake Again” movement, in which bakers across the country salute its culinary and political heritage. Moreover, Election Day cake serves as a catalyst for debate in issues concerning voter rights and healthy political engagement.

The following recipe is a humble tribute to its 18th century ancestor. While it may not feed a village, serve it as a sweet end to a bitter electoral season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 eggs
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• ¾ cup and 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chopped walnuts [optional]
• ½ cup raisins or currants [optional: soak in brandy]
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Preparation:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a tube pan.
2. Add the yeast to warm water and stir. Once dissolved, add 1 cup of flour to the mix and stir. Cover and let rise in a warm place until it gets bubbly. 
3. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to combine 3/4 butter and sugar.
4. In another bowl, add remaining flour and spices and lightly whisk.
5. Next, add the eggs to the butter and sugar mix and beat.
6. Slowly add the yeast mixture, flour and spices. Mix until smooth.
7. Fold in the dried fruits, orange zest and optional walnuts.
8. Bake for an hour.
9. Combine confectioners’ sugar with remaining butter and lemon juice. Drizzle glaze over cake with a spoon once it’s cooled.

*Editor’s Note: The original piece incorrectly dated the ratification of women’s suffrage, which occurred during the 20th century.