Election Cake Recipes

OLD HARTFORD ELECTION CAKE

Steps:

• Soften yeast in lukewarm water and add the next four ingredients, mixing well.
• Set aside to rise overnight.
• Blend the 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup sugar until light.
• Add eggs, raisins, citron, lemon rind and lemon juice.
• Sift remaining 3/4 cup of flour, soda, salt and nutmeg; add to batter alternatively with brandy.
• Combine the raised yeast batter with the cake batter, pour into a well-greased bread pan and let rise in a warm place about one hour.
• While the cake is rising, preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake for one hour.
• Mix confectioner's sugar with just enough water to make a thin icing.
• Cool cake slightly and drizzle icing over the top.

ELECTION CAKE

Steps:

• Pour the warm water into a large bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Stir, then let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve.
• Add 1 cup/130 grams of the flour and beat until well blended. (The mixture will be quite stiff.) Add the butter and beat until smooth. Add the remaining 2 2/3 cups (340 grams) flour, plus the eggs, light brown sugar, buttermilk, baking soda, spices and salt; beat for 3 minutes.
• In a small bowl, toss the raisins and pecans with the remaining 1 tablespoon flour until coated, then stir them into the batter until distributed.
• Using butter, grease two 8 1/2 -by-4 1/2-inch loaf pans. Divide the batter evenly between both pans, then cover loosely with towel and let rest for 1 1/2 hours.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the cakes until a toothpick inserted into the center tests clean, about 1 hour or up to 1 1/4 hours. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Turn the cakes out onto a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing and serving.