I am making all kinds of baked goods that I never heard of thanks to Baked Explorations, Baked Elements and this Baked Sunday Morning group. I have never heard of a Joe Frogger until I got my Baked Explorations cookbook. I adore molasses cookies and have a dynamite recipe that I make at Christmas time. This cookie has rum in it sooooo I thought that was a good enough reason to give a shot....right?
I love the history behind this cookie....
A little piece of History
The Legend of Joe Froggers: A couple known as Aunt Crease and Black Joe lived at the edge of a pond in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Joe had fought in the Revolution as a young man. On election night, they would open their house, which on occasion was also a local tavern, and serve grog. Joe would play the fiddle and Aunt Crease would cook. One of her specialties was a molasses cookie the size of a modern-day salad plate. She made them for fishermen, who found they stored well in barrels during long sea voyages. In the early 1800s, the election took place at the end of May, a time when frogs were peeping in the pond, and by association the cookies were called Joe's Froggers. Over time the possessive was dropped, and the name today is Joe Frogger.
I love old fashioned recipes and I have started a vintage cookbook collection. I just love to just look through them and read all the recipes. I guess I am kinda weird like that...oh well, we all have our little quirks.
Anyway, back to the cookie. I made mine quite large just like Aunt Crease did. I would say they were about the size of a small salad plate! These cookies are delicious! The edges are slightly browned and crispy and the center is soft chewy molasses yumminess.
If you have never tried this cookie....I suggest you try them soon! You will not be sorry! You will find the recipe here along with the results of all the other bakers who participated in this challenge.
Enjoy!
I like the idea of a giant-size cookie to share (or then again, maybe not!). Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Big cookies! Those look absolutely lovely. The sugar on them looks perfect too. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteLove the look of your cookies :)
ReplyDeleteMmmm... Beautiful sugar! :)
ReplyDeleteYours look soooo good!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! I loved your research too! I'm beginning to think I did something wrong, as my Joe Froggers were NOT soft and/or chewy, but more crunchy like a ginger snap! Hmmmm. Great job on these!
ReplyDeleteI love how you made yours according to the legend! And I think it's great about your vintage cookbook collection -- I feel the same way :)
ReplyDelete