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By Tim Nikula

Well, it's not really a national holiday (although there is talk of making it one), but it is a special day in United States. Alright, not that the 6^th itself is actually important, but it happens that this year the 6^th is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Huh? That's right, Election Day. (Don't get confused and think it's just the first Tuesday, make sure it's after the first Monday!). So, we here at the Electoral Cooking College have found this gem of a recipe from the Old Sturbridge Village Cookbook. [link to http://www.bookguy.com/cooking/CK045.htm]

Election Cake

Old Fashioned Directions:
"Old-fashioned election cake is made of four pounds of flour; three quarters of a pound of butter; four eggs; one pound of sugar; one pound of currants; or raisins if you choose; half a pint of good yeast; wet it with milk as soft as it can be to be molded on a board. Set to rise overnight in winter; in warm weather, three hours is usually enough for it to rise. A loaf, the size of common flour bread, should bake three quarters of an hour."

The American Frugal Housewife, Lydia Maria Child, Boston, 1832.

Modern method:

Ingredients:
1 cup yeast or 2 pkgs. yeast with 1 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
7-8 cups sifted flour
1/2 pound currants or raisins
1 cup milk, or more

Directions:
If packaged yeast is used, mix water and sugar with yeast.  Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, beating after each addition. Add yeast and blend well.  Stir in 4 cups flour and beat 1 minute. Combine currants or raisins with 3 cups remaining flour and add to rest of batter. Batter will be stiff and flour may need to be worked by hand. Add milk as required to make soft yet kneadable dough.  Sprinkle remaining flour on board. Knead for 10 minutes.  Divide dough in half. Use 5-by-9 inch loaf pans or two 8-inch pie plates. Let rise in greased pans in a warm place for 3-5 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.  Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 50 minutes.

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Comments? Write us at letter@fletcherledger.com

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