Cake Theory - 16
#MakeAmericaCakeAgain Celebrating the democratic process.
Muster Cakes date back to before the American Revolution. They are a dense, naturally leavened sourdough filled with spices, fruit and alcohol. Originally baked by colonial women to give to men who were summoned for military training, they later on became known as Election Cakes and were baked to encourage men to vote and go to town hall meetings. Back then Election Day was a festive event with plenty of food and alcohol. The Election Cakes were made for masses of people in order to celebrate the democratic process of election. Nowa-
days individual cakes are baked, whereas back then large loaves would have been made in community ovens, the making process being a collective (female) one. A bakery in Asheville, N.C., America picked up the tradition again in 2016 and baked Election Cakes in order to attempt to bring people together across political divides. It seems it will take more than an old colonial cake concept to bridge the current political divide and systemic issues but with a little rethinking, it could have it’s qualities.