A sweet relief from a stressful presidential debate. Here’s how a Phoenix woman coped


Watching the first U.S. presidential debate left many Arizonans seeking a way to cope. Big Tank Ranch Sourdough Bakery offered some sweet relief.

A Facebook post shared ahead of the debate Thursday offered the bakery’s signature sourdough cupcakes in a limited-time two-pack: one carrot cake and one Boston creme.

Owner Alison McKee didn’t allow any substitutions for the two-pack of cupcakes, each decorated with intricate designs in American flag colored frosting. Much like the debate, the public was left with only two options for this special offer. For $8, customers received a two-pack with one of each special flavor.

“They’re best served after the debate to help you deal with the realization that this is the best America has to offer. Yes, I am really selling cupcakes along with my satire,” read McKee’s post.

McKee said Friday that she didn’t explicitly choose the two flavors to represent the candidates but later reflect that Trump’s popular spray tans well complimented the orange color of carrot cake.

Special cupcakes offered in a two pack during the first U.S. presidential debate of 2024, on the left Boston creme pie, and right carrot cake.

And while the sound of a Delaware creme to represent Biden’s home state didn’t have the same ring to it as a Boston creme, the custard filling represented Biden’s “mushy brain,” Mckee laughed.

McKee said she sold about two dozen of the cupcakes, with most of her sales occurring after the debate concluded when her customers likely needed a sweet treat more than ever.

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“It was funny. I just made little two packs because you know we have two candidates and they both suck and you’re stuck with them. So, I didn’t give anybody flavor which choices. I just thought it was a little silly,” said McKee.

“Cupcakes make people happy,” McKee said, reflecting on the shimmer of light her desserts offered while she was frustrated by the limited choices the two-party system left for Arizona voters.

McKee is a registered independent, describing herself as “very moderate.” She saw an opportunity to market her bakery during the debate after other Phoenix-area bakers were making Trump themed items, promotion for the former president popular in her north Phoenix neighborhood.

When asked if she would continue the tradition in September for the next scheduled presidential debate, McKee said she would wait and see before making any decisions.

What did the baker think of the debate?

Looking ahead politically, McKee said Biden should be replaced as the democratic candidate.

“He should admit he has health problems and not up to the task, I think that would be the dignified thing to do for our country. It was sad. He can’t do the job,” she said. “I just have to think he’s napping in the oval office.”

McKee said she didn’t have any plans to replace the Boston creme donut. At least not yet.

She reflected on her own health issues, and said she knew what it was like to be sick, and that she saw that in Biden.

“I thought that Trump showed a lot of restraint, he could of really ripped into him (Biden) when he fizzled out and lost his train of thought,” stating that Trump seemed to be on his best behavior.

How BTR Sourdough Bakery got started

McKee was born and raised in Arizona and said she lived in the Phoenix area her whole life.

She had been baking sourdough bread for over 10 years, using the same starter throughout that time, which even earned its own name: Polly.

It was only a year ago when the animal lover and caretaker gave up boarding horses and switched full-time to baking, mostly due to health concerns.

Alison McKee, owner of BTR Sourdough Bakery, poses with a photo with one of her donkeys.

Alison McKee, owner of BTR Sourdough Bakery, poses with a photo with one of her donkeys.

McKee was a kidney transplant recipient and was immunosuppressed. She operated the bakery out of her home, which allowed her to safely still work full time and express her creativity and knowledge of baking at the same time.

McKee lived on about one acre property in north Phoenix and between herself and husband, took care of donkeys, goats, hens, horses, a barn cat and a dog, who McKee called her best friend.

“I got a whole yard full, and I got to feed them, so now I’m making cupcakes.” said McKee.

McKee’s bakery would enter a new era in September of this year, which is when the so-called Tamale Bill would take effect, allowing McKee to expand the list of items she is allowed to sell out of her from home business.

“But let me tell you, running a home bakery is not easy, it’s really hard work,” said McKee.

Most of her customer base was in the north Phoenix and Cave Creek area, but the farthest one of her dessert lovers traveled was from Globe, about an hour and a half east of Phoenix.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Baker Alison McKee makes presidential debate themed cupcakes

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