Sophia Grestini and Daughter Win Connecticut Election Cake Contest

Sophia Grestini of Amy's Cakes LLC in Cheshire, Connecticut, won the fifth annual Election Cake Bake Off on Oct. 26. She worked alongside her daughter to create the winning entry at the Old State House in Hartford. The judges selected their confection as the official Connecticut Election Cake of 2026. As part of the prize, the duo received a commission to bake the Old State House birthday cake for 2027.

The competition challenged professional pastry chefs and bakers to design a non-partisan, election-themed cake. Nicole Sousa, the events and outreach manager at the Old State House, stated that participants entered the contest for the love of Election Day, baking, and the history of election cakes. A panel of judges scored each entry based on presentation, creativity, and taste.

The winning cake featured four layers that alternated between sweet lemon blueberry and traditional spiced sponge flavors. The exterior displayed red, white, blue, and gold accents. Decorations included an "I voted" pin, a ballot box, and an American flag. On the second tier, handcrafted fondant figures of a donkey and an elephant represented the two major political parties. A bald eagle sculpted entirely from frosting sat atop the cake.

The tradition of baking election cakes in Hartford dates back to 1771. At that time, Connecticut was a colony that allowed residents to elect their own officials, a practice that was not common among the 13 original colonies. Early celebrations included parties, parades, and large cakes. Sousa noted that Connecticut celebrated this right to self-governance with enthusiasm.

Historical election cakes differed greatly from modern versions. In the eighteenth century, these desserts resembled tough fruit cakes often soaked in alcohol. Sousa described the original recipes, which used 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. These large cakes were designed to feed crowds of celebrating voters. Writer Amelia Simmons included a scaled-down recipe in American Cookery, widely recognized as the first American cookbook.

Sousa described the atmosphere of the Oct. 26 event as joyous. She said the bakers had fun creating their designs. "That's what we're trying to do with the election cake contest, we're trying to bring that joy back to Election Day," Sousa said. She added that the holiday should be a fun way for people to show they are contributing to their country and community.

The Old State House in Hartford hosted the event, which has become an annual tradition. The competition serves to connect modern voters with the state's early history of democratic participation. Grestini's victory marks the fifth year the Old State House has organized this specific bake-off.