Part 2/8:

Originally, making election cake was a painstaking process that required days of preparation. However, in the interest of time and given the live format, the cake would be made according to a modernized recipe based on Fannie Farmer's Boston Cooking School Cookbook from 1896.

Ingredients and Preparation

As the host gathered ingredients, a shopping list of historical significance unfolded. The recipe called for:

• One stick of butter (softer at room temperature)

• Two eggs (room temperature)

• Brown sugar (dark or light)

• Dried fruits, such as raisins and figs

• Flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt

• Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and mace)

• Buttermilk