{"id":54705,"date":"2019-12-13T12:36:28","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T17:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=54705"},"modified":"2023-09-27T11:21:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T15:21:43","slug":"its-the-holidays-time-for-a-cookie-exchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/its-the-holidays-time-for-a-cookie-exchange.html","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s the Holidays! Time for a Cookie Exchange!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article \u2013 just in time for Holiday baking \u2013 Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to find cookie recipes. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is that my sister-in-law and her sisters get together and make a huge batch of cookies. They make all kinds of cookies including those that they grew up with in the Azores. But my family that lives seven hours away are the lucky ones, because she always brings us a full container of cookies and then we fight over who gets to eat which ones.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: Christmas cookies. Credit: Gillian; Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Do you participate in a cookie exchange with family or friends? Cookies are the best! They are small pieces of sugary deliciousness and everyone has a favorite. Does your favorite cookie have a family history tradition behind it? Cookies are a nice way to share some family food history. Even if you don\u2019t have a cookie food tradition, you could start your own this holiday season.<\/p>\n

Here are a few ideas for some cookies you may want to bake.<\/p>\n

Some Family Favorites<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everyone in my family has their favorites. My oldest loves Snickerdoodles and I personally like Mexican Wedding Cookies, and everyone likes Chocolate Chip Cookies.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), 27 May 1980, page 11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Snickerdoodles are one of those foods that people are curious as to the history. It seems that some claim it\u2019s of German descent while others say it\u2019s a New England invention with a weird name. New York Times<\/em> food editor and restaurant critic Craig Claiborne (1920-2000) answered the Snickerdoodle question with a vague \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d But what is known is that it\u2019s a rich cookie with cinnamon, but I have found earlier newspaper recipes for Snickerdoodle Cake prior to finding the cookie recipes.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s a more recent recipe for Snickerdoodle Blondies.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), 21 October 2010, page 54<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mexican Wedding Cookies are known by various names. As a Christmas cookie you might know them as Snowballs because that\u2019s exactly what they look like with their round shape dusted in powdered sugar. This newspaper article includes ideas for variations of this familiar recipe.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), 2 October 2002, page 60<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cookie<\/a>
San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), 2 October 2002, page 60<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here are recipes for the famous Nestle\u2019s Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies, including a large pizza-sized cookie in case you\u2019re really hungry.<\/p>\n

\"Cookie<\/a>
St. Albans Daily Messenger (St. Albans, Vermont), 31 January 1996, page 28<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Old Fashioned Cookies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you want to try something different? You could try a recipe from the past that your ancestor may have also enjoyed. This 1916 column of cookie recipes includes a Cinnamon Cookie, Ginger Wafers, and Date Cookies. The California Drop Cookie recipe includes molasses, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.<\/p>\n

\"Cookie<\/a>
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), 20 December 1916, page 14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Christmas Cookies<\/strong><\/p>\n

What about a recipe for a an appropriately named Christmas Cookie? This one from 1879 includes a lot of sugar and lemon or orange extract and is finished off with powdered sugar and a raisin \u201cto please the little folks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana), 22 January 1879, page 9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fruitcake Cookies seem to be another cookie that screams Christmas. I personally like fruitcake but I know it\u2019s not everyone\u2019s favorite. Maybe these Fruitcake Cookies will be a little bit more palatable to even those that hate the much-maligned cake, since they are just tiny bites. Like their namesake, they include currants, raisons, candied fruits and nuts as ingredients. They are finished off with a creamy frosting and decorations consisting of candied cherries and citron.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
San Antonio Express (San Antonio, Texas), 12 December 1952, page 40<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Holiday Sweetness<\/strong><\/p>\n

The holidays are a great time to indulge in a little sweetness, and cookies fit that bill! Do you have a favorite cookie recipe? How about sharing your favorite or memories of family favorites with us in the comments section below?<\/p>\n

Happy Holidays!<\/p>\n

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