America the Sweet: The First Published Christmas Cookie Recipe in America

Christmas is rich in tradition--and equally rich in cookies (hooray!). But have you ever paused to wonder what the cookie selection might have been like for our ancestors?

Well, in case you had been curious, here is a recipe from what is largely considered America's first cookbook (to clarify, the first cookbook featuring American food published in America--there had been other British books which had been released here previously), American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, which was published in 1796.

If these cookies sound more like hockey pucks than delicious treats to you, please, don't despair--after all, as Amelia advises that "if put in an earthen pot, and dry cellar, or damp room, they will be finer, softer and better when six months old." Whew!

Christmas Cookey

From American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, 1796

"To three pound of flour, sprinkle a tea cup of fine powdered coriander seed, rub in one pound of butter, and one and a half pound sugar, dissolve one teaspoonful of pearlash (a rising agent) in a tea cup of milk, knead all together well, roll three quarters of an inch thick, and cut or stamp into shape and slice you please, bake slowly fifteen or twenty minutes; tho' hard and dry at first, if put in an earthen pot, and dry cellar, or damp room, they will be finer, softer and better when six months old."

Comments

[Katie]

! The first edition was printed in Hartford, which means that Connecticut finally has something that we can brag about (we were totally overusing Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe).

[Chic Cookies]

And "cookie" is an American-coined word, too, so something else to be proud of! I have a pic of this cookbook in my history-on-the-cookie chapter in my book. LOVE such things.(also be sure to check out Martha Washington's family cookbook... very interesting stuff)

[Emily]

That's funny! They soften after 6 months old!

[Anne-Marie]

OMG. So odd. They keep for six months AND they soften? One does wonder what they tasted like after six months. Crazy!

[B More Sweet]

It is a wonder any of our ancestors survived the kitchen. Merry Christmas, Cakespy, Mr Cakespy, and all fellow spies!

[Cynthia]

Happy Holidays!

[Tender Branson]

I love historical food entries. Thanks for this one. I love that they taste best after six months.