We made Warren Harding’s favorite Almond Cookie in the kitchen tonight.

The almond cookies were very popular during the Harding Administration. The White House grounds had been closed during World War 1 and when the Harding Presidency began in 1921, The White House and the magnificent grounds were re-opened to the American public after being closed for so long.

It was a joyous occasion to have The White House open again and President and Mrs Harding loved holding socials on the White House lawn – especially on Sunday’s. Everyone would wear their “Sunday Best” and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the lawn. The food was always delicious and there were plenty of lemonade, punch, cookies, cakes and sandwiches. One of the most popular cookies was an almond cookie – which was an absolute favorite of Warren Harding.

Recipe

Ingredients

3/4 Cups of Sifted Flour
2 Eggs (used separately)

1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup of butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
Grated rind of one lemon
Just a dash of salt
1/2 Cup grated and blanched almonds (we used slivered almonds)
Blanched almonds for garnish (we used slivered almonds)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl. sift the flour and set aside.

In another bowl. mix thoroughly I whole egg, sugar, butter, baking soda, lemon rind, salt, and grated almonds (we used slivered almonds)

Add the sifted flour to the mixture and mix thoroughly.

Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.

Place sliced cookies on an ungreased baking sheet

Brush the cookie dough with the other egg that has been beaten

Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are browned.

Cool on a cooking rack for a few minutes before removing.

Makes about 2 to 3 dozen cookies. All depends on how you slice them. We got 2 dozen from the ones we made tonight.

It was a beautiful day to enjoy the Fall foliage at the State Arboretum of Virginia and walk through the wonderful Ginkgo Grove which consists of 300 Ginkgo trees that sit on 3.3 acres.

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful colors of Fall 🍁 this weekend. It’s amazing, isn’t it?

The recipe I used was directly from a Betty Crocker cookbook – the same recipe my mother used many years ago.

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine or butter, softened

1 large egg

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Mix into a large bowl with a wooden spoon the following: granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, margarine or butter (softened) and egg.

Stir into the mixture: all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Shape the dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Put the balls about 3 inches onto a cookie sheet. Flatten balls gently in cross cross pattern with a fork dipped in sugar.

Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Cool cookies 2 minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove with spatula to a wire rack. Then cool.

Recipe from: Betty Crocker’s Best of Baking cookbook, 1997.

Have you ever wondered what former First Lady and President Kennedy enjoyed eating? Besides the usual favorite of President Kennedy which was his recipe for Fish Chowder or Mrs Kennedy’s famous waffle recipe. the White House chef often made this delicious dessert composed of fruit – baked in the oven. I envision fruit best served as a cold and refreshing dessert but Mrs Kennedy often served this Hot Fruit Dessert to her guests and family.

For the recipe just click here.

It was a simple recipe to make and is something you can make in your own kitchen and dine like President and Mrs Kennedy!

Happy 76th wedding anniversary to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Married today on July 7, 1946 in Plains, Georgia ❤️
(Photo Credit: Jimmy Carter Library)

We found this delicious piece of history while researching today and stumbled across it while looking online here

Today in American history…Nancy Reagan was born on July 6, 1921 in New York City 🇺🇸

Today in American history…Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind was first published on June 30, 1936. Gone with the Wind is one of the best-selling novels of all time and Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 for her work.

Hoecakes are a traditional American dish and the recipe most likely originated from Native Americans.

Recipes have varied throughout the centuries but have remained basically the same with being a flat cake made of cornmeal mush – with later variations using flour.

George Washington entertained quite frequently at his Mount Vernon estate. Many of President and Mrs Washington’s guests noted hoecakes and honey being a popular breakfast staple with George Washington preferring his hoe cakes “swimming in butter and honey.”

Hoe Cakes Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 eggs
2 1/2 Teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (we used cinnamon)
Butter or oil for frying

Directions

In a large bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg (or cinnamon) and salt.

Make a well in the center, and pour in milk, water, egg, vanilla and melted butter. Thoroughly mix until pancake mixture is smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium high heat. Scoop about 2 tablespoons each of the batter onto the cast iron skillet or frying pan.

Fry each Hoe Cake until brown and crisp; turn with a spatula, and then brown the other side.

Remove and serve immediately with syrup and/or butter.

Today in American history…The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1922. In attendance at the official dedication was President Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln.

To watch the video of the dedication click here