First Lady Bake-Off

The First Lady Bake-Off, also called the Presidential Cookie Bake-Off or Presidential Cookie Poll, was a baking competition between the spouses of leading United States presidential candidates. It was held by American women's magazine Family Circle from its founding in 1992 until the final competition in 2016. Family Circle proposed the competition in 1992 after Hillary Clinton made a political gaffe about baking that was interpreted by some as disparaging housewives.

During the competition, Family Circle published cookie recipes from the spouses of presidential candidates, who stood to become First Lady or First Gentleman of the United States. The public voted to decide the winning recipe. The competition became known for frequently mirroring the results of presidential elections. It resulted Hillary Clinton's victories over Barbara Bush in 1992 and Elizabeth Dole in 1996, Laura Bush's victories over Tipper Gore in 2000 and Teresa Kerry in 2004, Cindy McCain's victory over Michelle Obama in 2008, Obama's victory over Ann Romney in 2012, and Bill Clinton's victory over Melania Trump in 2016.

The competition was popular but received some criticism for allegedly reinforcing sexist gender roles. It was canceled after Family Circle went out of business in 2019.

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