Hartford Bakers Win State Cake Title with Four-Tier Patriot Design

A multi-tiered red, white, and blue cake topped with a frosting eagle took top honors at the fifth annual Election Cake Bake Off.

The competition, held at Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, challenges bakers to create non-partisan, election-themed desserts. This year, the winner was a four-layer confection created by Sophia Grestini of Amy’s Cakes LLC in Cheshire and her mother. The entry featured alternating layers of sweet lemon blueberry and traditional spiced sponge. Its exterior displayed red, white, blue, and gold accents, including an "I voted" pin, a ballot box, and an American flag. Handcrafted fondant figures of a donkey and an elephant sat on the second tier, representing the two major political parties.

Nicole Sousa, the events and outreach manager at the Old State House, noted that the judges evaluated entries on presentation, creativity, and taste. The winning team was named the official Connecticut Election Cake of 2026. As part of the prize, Grestini received a commission to bake the Old State House birthday cake in 2027. Sousa emphasized that while the bakers competed to win, they were also motivated by a love for the holiday and the baking process. She described the event as a way to bring joy back to the election period.

The tradition of election cakes dates back to 1771 in Hartford. At that time, Connecticut was one of the few colonies where residents could elect their own officials. Early celebrations included parties, parades, and community feasts centered on these cakes. Historical records show that 18th-century election cakes were dense, fruit-laden pastries often soaked in alcohol. They were massive in size, requiring 30 quarts of flour, 10 pounds of butter, 14 pounds of sugar, 12 pounds of raisins, three dozen eggs, and over a quart of wine or brandy to feed large crowds. Writer Amelia Simmons included a scaled-down version of this recipe in American Cookery, widely recognized as the first American cookbook.

Sousa stated that the modern competition aims to restore the celebratory nature of the day. She said the event should feel fun and serve as a way for voters to show their contribution to the community and country. The 2026 bake-off continued a five-year tradition of pairing local pastry talent with the state’s historical roots in self-government.