Christmas Cookie Baking: Moravian Christmas Cookies
Earlier this summer, Jonathan and I visited Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Old Salem Museums and Gardens is a beautiful historic village preserving the history of the Moravian settlement. There are historic buildings such as the tavern, shoemaker, etc. Some you have to pay to go inside, but the shops are free and it doesn't cost anything to walk around. We found the place to be beautiful and well cared for. As a result, I'm interested in Moravian history and traditions, many of which are still carried out today in existing Moravian churches and communities. Another part of the reason I am interested is that John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, was influenced by the Moravians, so in a way it is part of my church history as well.
The candle pictured above we had purchased last fall from a tinsmith at the North Carolina State Fair. The red paper wrap is a little smooshed from having been carried in a paper bag in the rain at the fair, and then surviving a move from NC to Iowa. I found a nice explanation for the candle on this website belonging to Nazareth Moravian Church.
Because of my interest in Moravian traditions, I wanted to try making Moravian cookies. These are very thin, crisp, spiced cookies. In Old Salem, you could find them for sale in a circle shape. However, I wanted to try out some of my newly acquired vintage cookie cutters. I chose the candle and the star because of their association with Moravian traditions. Of course, the five pointed star is not the right star--an eight pointed star would have been more representative of the Moravian star, but I hope the idea comes across.
The candle pictured above we had purchased last fall from a tinsmith at the North Carolina State Fair. The red paper wrap is a little smooshed from having been carried in a paper bag in the rain at the fair, and then surviving a move from NC to Iowa. I found a nice explanation for the candle on this website belonging to Nazareth Moravian Church.
Because of my interest in Moravian traditions, I wanted to try making Moravian cookies. These are very thin, crisp, spiced cookies. In Old Salem, you could find them for sale in a circle shape. However, I wanted to try out some of my newly acquired vintage cookie cutters. I chose the candle and the star because of their association with Moravian traditions. Of course, the five pointed star is not the right star--an eight pointed star would have been more representative of the Moravian star, but I hope the idea comes across.
I used the recipe from The American Heritage Cookbook. I picked up this book in a thrift store awhile ago because I'm interested in regional and historic foods. The exact same recipe can be found here. Because the formatting of the ingredients is a little messed up, here is are the ingredients in an easier to read list:
1/2 cup Brown sugar; firmly Packed
3/4 teaspoon Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3/4 teaspoon Ginger
3/4 teaspoon Cloves
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Allspice
1 cup Molasses
1/2 cup Shortening
4 cups All-purpose flour Sifted
I only made a half a recipe because I didn't have enough molasses, but I got over 100 small cookies.
I see you have curtains. Are those from Target? I like them. Mom
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