HATBORO, Pa. (WLVT) — A Montgomery County bakery is getting some attention for its political treats.
From now through Election Day, Lochel's Bakery in Hatboro is selling round butter cookies featuring the names of the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates: Donald Trump and Joe Biden, respectively.
It's a bakery tradition that dates back to 2008.
"When we started, we only sold a few dozen of the McCain and Obama cookies," Kathleen Lochel, bakery manager, told PBS39. "In 2012 when it was Obama versus Romney, we saw an increase in those."
By 2016, the concept took off.
"We saw a huge increase when it was Trump versus Clinton," said Lochel.
TIME TO BAKE
The third-generation bakery makes the cookies from scratch.
"The dough is made by my husband and hand-cut by my brother-in-law," explained Lochel. "It's a four inch round cookie dipped in royal icing. Royal icing is basically sugar, water and meringue powder. Then, we dunk it into the jimmies."
The candidates names are printed onto edible rice paper. Each cookie is wrapped in plastic and tied with an either red or blue ribbon.
This year, the bakery is bracing itself to sell close to 3,000 cookies.
"You have the political groups who have ordered like 100 of one candidate," Lochel said. "One person drove an hour and a half for a dozen of Donald Trump cookies."
COMMUNITY REACTION
Lochel says the bakery has received dozens of comments about the cookies. Hatboro mayor Nancy Guenst, who is running for state representative in the 152nd District, chimed in.
"I would buy this Biden cookie, shellac it and keep it on my Christmas tree, forever," said Guenst. "Now this one [Trump cookie], I would buy it and feed it to my dog!"
Paulina Rynczak bought 10 cookies for family and friends. Only one had Biden’s name on it.
"I'm really loving my president," said Rynczak. "I drove here from Philly. I have a list of people that want the cookies. We enjoy it because we all want to support the bakery, and honestly, it's just fun!"
Lochel says some of the feedback hasn't been fun at all.
"One of the harshest comments, that I took very personally, said Lochel’s Bakery supports Nazis. Another comment said we're making money off of politics and religion. As my husband said, we're also selling Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah cakes, and selling Confirmation and Communion cakes. Again, we’re not endorsing any candidate," she said.
COOKIE POLL PREDICTIONS
Lochel keeps track of all the candidate cookie sales. For the last three presidential elections, those sales, she says, have predicted the winner.
"In 2008, we sold more Barack Obama cookies. In 2012, we sold more Barack Obama cookies. In 2016, we sold a heck of a lot more Donald Trump cookies," Lochel said. "Yes, the unscientific poll is right here in Hatboro!"
To keep the cookie poll impartial, the bakery only sells the election cookies when they have stock of each candidate.
"When one sells out, we pull the other candidate so that it's fair. We don't want to favor one candidate. If we just had one for sale, I feel that's giving the perception that we're endorsing one candidate," she explained.
BRINGING IN BUSINESS
Along with the mostly-friendly debates the cookies cause, Lochel says the treats are a means to keep her business going.
"These political cookies are employing people," she said. "So, people have to look past these cookies and see that we're a small business trying to survive in a really rough time. One of our cake decorators is taking about two full days to make them. So about 16 hours a week to do 300 cookies."
Lochel's has 25 full and part-time employees. Staffers say they hope the cookies encourage people to vote.
"We're not trying to get in nobody’s business! It's just a cookie and it's to promote the importance of voting," said staffer James Clark.
"Everyone's voice matters whatever party or side you’re on," added cake decorator Lourdes Muniz.
Lochel says the controversy is about the candidates and not the bakery itself.
"I’ve never seen so many people so passionate about politics in my lifetime," she said. "I think the negative comments are about hatred for a candidate. Whether you're voting for Donald Trump, or you're voting for Joe Biden, remember — it's your constitutional right to vote."
Visit LochelsBakery.com to learn more.