Hi Amy. I am a tremendous fan of and donor to AGC. Recalling your input during its founding (and following) days. Just picked up a copy of Meet Your Midwest Grain/Rye #6 at my CSA and saw your authorship credit - BRAVA. Memories of Troy - while attending a 2009 farmers market conference in Schenectady I visited the Troy FM and so enjoyed the market as well as the town.
BTW, what are the chances that I have a copy of The Freezer Cookbook in an EXTENSIVE culinary collection?! Lest I forget because I have short term memory pauses, do you do additional writing for AGC eg Member Feature of The Crumb? Best wishes from a chilly Wisconsin. Deb D
Wow, thanks for writing Deborah!! I loved working on those pamphlets and I love working with AGC, such an incredible organization. I do write profiles for THE CRUMB. I’d love to see that cookbook if you find it. I really appreciate your reaching out.
I’ve been searching for a good hermit cookie recipe- excited to try it! I moved to Troy in March and have rediscovered my love for baking, especially since it’s been so cold outside.
Loved this essay, so fun to read! I bet all the cookies you make are great!
My late mother-in-law always made 7-layer cookies for Christmas. My husband loved them so now I make them for him this time of year too.
Came across a recipe for Russian Teacakes in the 1980's and decided to make them for Christmas. I know now that they're a very common cookie, but my family had never made them, so I brought them along for Christmas dinner with some trepidation. My mom loved them, so I always made them every year after that and still do.
My daughter wants to make Imperial (Empire) cookies this year. She has a friend from Winnipeg, where these cookies are popular, and the friend once made some and brought them into work. Since my mom was born in Winnipeg and spent the first three years of her life there, I'm happy for my daughter to make Imperials. My mom never talked about them, and her parents died when I was young, so I don't know if they ever had those cookies themselves. But I'd like to think that they did!
Not familiar w Empire cookies—would love to see a recipe… Enjoy baking! I make a friend-of-a-friend’s-mother’s sugar cookies. They are from an Alabama recipe and include a little vinegar. Absolutely irresistible and a favorite of ours.
Before I moved to Vermont from California, I read a lot of books about Vermont and many of them were old cookbooks. I couldn’t wait to get here and try all of the things I had never heard of. My first ever hermits (Which are obviously the correct ones) came from Quality Bake Shop in Essex Junction. I go back for more every chance I get. they are baked in a log too! Most of the recipes I see in my vintage cookbooks suggest dropping the dough from a spoon.
How are you going to get the proper edge to center ratio?
Laurie, thinking about the hermits and their edges is exactly what got me out of bed this morning! Send me a picture of your favorite hermits next time you get them, please!
I’m going to try vegan butter and the egg and see how they taste. Mom always put a tiny amount of almond flour in these. And lots of vanilla. But your hermits made with whole rye and toasted wheat bran and figs as well are a holiday staple here. That dough sat in the fridge for a month before Dad’s Mom would touch it. I think she put anisette in it but everyone said no she did not. She did as do I but why argue with relatives if they’re baking cookies for you!
Your Hermit cookies are stellar, Amy! I didn’t become a Christmas cookie-er until adult-hood, working in bakeries. Unless you count rugelach for Hanukkah…
Hi Amy. I am a tremendous fan of and donor to AGC. Recalling your input during its founding (and following) days. Just picked up a copy of Meet Your Midwest Grain/Rye #6 at my CSA and saw your authorship credit - BRAVA. Memories of Troy - while attending a 2009 farmers market conference in Schenectady I visited the Troy FM and so enjoyed the market as well as the town.
BTW, what are the chances that I have a copy of The Freezer Cookbook in an EXTENSIVE culinary collection?! Lest I forget because I have short term memory pauses, do you do additional writing for AGC eg Member Feature of The Crumb? Best wishes from a chilly Wisconsin. Deb D
Wow, thanks for writing Deborah!! I loved working on those pamphlets and I love working with AGC, such an incredible organization. I do write profiles for THE CRUMB. I’d love to see that cookbook if you find it. I really appreciate your reaching out.
I’ve been searching for a good hermit cookie recipe- excited to try it! I moved to Troy in March and have rediscovered my love for baking, especially since it’s been so cold outside.
Welcome to Troy! I hope you like this recipe. And I hope you try the ones at Placid. They are really good!
Thanks! Oh- I’ve tried a few of their cookies but didn’t know they have hermits!!
Loved this essay, so fun to read! I bet all the cookies you make are great!
My late mother-in-law always made 7-layer cookies for Christmas. My husband loved them so now I make them for him this time of year too.
Came across a recipe for Russian Teacakes in the 1980's and decided to make them for Christmas. I know now that they're a very common cookie, but my family had never made them, so I brought them along for Christmas dinner with some trepidation. My mom loved them, so I always made them every year after that and still do.
My daughter wants to make Imperial (Empire) cookies this year. She has a friend from Winnipeg, where these cookies are popular, and the friend once made some and brought them into work. Since my mom was born in Winnipeg and spent the first three years of her life there, I'm happy for my daughter to make Imperials. My mom never talked about them, and her parents died when I was young, so I don't know if they ever had those cookies themselves. But I'd like to think that they did!
Not familiar w Empire cookies—would love to see a recipe… Enjoy baking! I make a friend-of-a-friend’s-mother’s sugar cookies. They are from an Alabama recipe and include a little vinegar. Absolutely irresistible and a favorite of ours.
Oh show us that recipe! Vinegar in cookies, I'm so intrigued.
I understand the motive! I’d love to see your empire cookies Aimee!
Cookies are my favorite food!
Before I moved to Vermont from California, I read a lot of books about Vermont and many of them were old cookbooks. I couldn’t wait to get here and try all of the things I had never heard of. My first ever hermits (Which are obviously the correct ones) came from Quality Bake Shop in Essex Junction. I go back for more every chance I get. they are baked in a log too! Most of the recipes I see in my vintage cookbooks suggest dropping the dough from a spoon.
How are you going to get the proper edge to center ratio?
Laurie, thinking about the hermits and their edges is exactly what got me out of bed this morning! Send me a picture of your favorite hermits next time you get them, please!
So do you use margarine? Or butter as Mom’s recipe says?
I use butter, but the ingredient list says margarine!
I’m going to try vegan butter and the egg and see how they taste. Mom always put a tiny amount of almond flour in these. And lots of vanilla. But your hermits made with whole rye and toasted wheat bran and figs as well are a holiday staple here. That dough sat in the fridge for a month before Dad’s Mom would touch it. I think she put anisette in it but everyone said no she did not. She did as do I but why argue with relatives if they’re baking cookies for you!
Indeed!
Posting that delicious ginger snap recipe shortly! ✨🎄
Thank you Jolene!
Just posted mine ! 😆
Your Hermit cookies are stellar, Amy! I didn’t become a Christmas cookie-er until adult-hood, working in bakeries. Unless you count rugelach for Hanukkah…
Oh that counts Ellen!!