CINCINNATI — It’s not often you’ll find many “sweet” things to say when it comes down to the final weeks of a presidential election. In fact, it can be quite stressful.

However, one Ohio bakery prides itself on a history of election predictions that have “risen” to the occasion through cookie sales since the 1980s.

What You Need To Know

  • Busken Bakery in Cincinnati has held a presidential cookie poll since the 1980s

  • Out of the last ten elections, customers have accurately predicted the next president nine out of 10 elections

  • The caricatures on the cookies are designed by local artist Jim White. He’s been drawing the images for about twenty years

On Madison Road in Cincinnati, sits the Presidential Cookie Poll Headquarters.

Inside Busken Bakery, the voting is in process with every cookie purchase.

“This will be our 11th election. So we’ve been doing this for over 40 years now and out of the last ten elections, our customers have accurately predicted the next president nine out of 10 elections. So we have a pretty good track record here,” said Busken Bakery President and CEO of Busken Bakery.

Back in the cookie finishing room, you’ll find employees hard at work.

Lori Wells has been working at Busken Bakery for 45 years.

“It makes me feel good. Usually they’re pretty accurate,” she said with a laugh.

Historically, the cookies were decorated using an airbrush and stencil.

“It is fun to do. It really is. They used to spray the cookies, and that wasn’t so much fun, but it’s easier now,” said Wells.

This year they’re using edible image paper for the first time.

“It’s a lot faster, and the image is actually a lot clearer and it just makes for fun. The caricatures are designed by a local caricature artist here in Cincinnati named Jim White. He’s been drawing the images for us for maybe twenty years now,” Busken said.

“It’s a lot of cookies but it’s pretty cool to see them all being packed and shipped and everything like that,” said employee Clara Lawrence.

The method of decorating isn’t the only thing new this year.

“So this is the first year we’ve seen a real increase in online shipping orders. Elon Musk re-tweeted an article about our cookie poll and internet shipping just blew up. We’ve been shipping day and night and these cookies are going all over the country. You don’t have to be an Ohio resident to vote,” said Busken.

Each cookie holds the signature taste of sugar, shortbread and hint of almond.

They look different, but all taste the same.

“We try to bring a little light-hearted approach to this very heated and sometimes and sometimes hostile political climate. However, we’ve told Cincinnati and all our voters that we just want to have fun with this and to not take it too serious and keep it light,” Busken said.