Joe Froggers
Cookies and Bars Recipes
Yield: 8 dozen
This recipe and the legend* behind it are a part of the history of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Be sure to use the specified ingredients -- no substitutions. Avoid too much rolling out.
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon dark rum
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups unsulphured dark molasses
- 6 to 7 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ginger
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Combine hot water and rum in small bowl. In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. In a third bowl, combine soda and molasses. In a fourth bowl, combine 6 cups flour with salt and spices. Blend water and rum into creamed mixture in large bowl. Add molasses and dry ingredients alternately; blend. (If dough is too stiff, add a little water; if not stiff enough, add more flour.) Divide dough into three balls, cover with plastic wrap, and chill thoroughly. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle board with remaining flour. Roll out dough and cut with 2-inch cookie cutter or rim of glass. Bake on greased cookie sheet 10 minutes.
Comments
* 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 Froggers.
Reviews by Readers
My husband and I raised our sons in Bloomfield, Ct. They found this recipe in the Hartford Courant newspaper and begged me to bake it for them. Joe Froggers turned out to be a real favorite of the boys during their childhood. Over the years I had lost the recipes. These two boys, both now in their late forties, were transported back in time and reduced to their pre-teen years this last week--fighting over the "last Joe Frogger." Thank you so much for allowing me, and them, to journey back to their childhood. – Reviewed by Dr.Margaret Bigler-Simmons
How great is Google?!...This was a recipe from our 92 year old grandmother who recopied it with 3 cups of water instead of 3/4 cup... our first batch failed miserably but thanks to YANKEE we happily made her the cookies we loved to make with her when we were children. They were wonderful! – Reviewed by Frances Davidson
I was raised in Lynn, MA, and these were a favorite summer fare. I have made them twice and my family loves them. Now I can share some New England memories with my kids (who are Virginians) – Anonymous Review
My college kids "new favorite" recipe! I get requests to send these specific cookies to their schools and all the kids just love them! I buy rum just to make this recipe! You have to give it a try! They will be your "new favorite" as well. – Anonymous Review
My mother used this recipe when I was a child in the '50s. I was so glad to find it again now. It had been lost from her recipies. This is a great recipe! They keep well and they send through the mail well, too! I love it! Thank you, Yankee . – Reviewed by Deb Johnson
Here in Maine, we love cold milk and warm cookies and a good story ... so it's no wonder we love "Joe Froggers". But in our house they're called "Joel Frogger" ... since our son's name is Joel. Growing up, he and his friends would hop to the table to eat them up while I was still making them. At Christmas ... we used a 'tree' cookie cutter and the boys dip the cookies in warm white frosting to give the look of snow on the tree. This past week I found a mitten cookie cutter and plan to do the same thing ... even though Joel is 26 now and doesn't live home to help ... I will be saving some for him. – Reviewed by Mona Clark
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