Recipes

Activities | Chocolate Cake in a Cup | Snow Griddle Cakes | Hot Cocoa

In 1796 The First American Cookbook: "American Cookery," by Amelia Simmons was published in Hartford, CT. An early colonial classic. "The First American Cookbook" is a book of firsts. It was the first cookbook published in America, the first book of "receipts" written by an American, and the first cookbook containing uniquely American food options.

First published as "American Cookery," "The First American Cookbook" also contains the first published recipe for cakey gingerbread, the first publication of the word "cookie", and the first documented use of pearlash as a leavening agent.

Many recipes call for immense amounts of flour, shortening, and sugar, sometimes more than 5 lbs., with measures such as "a teacup full" and "a slow oven". Author Amelia Simmons helpfully provides instructions about how to decide whether to acquire beef from oxen or dairy cattle and how to "dress" a turtle. It's great fun to look at the past of American cooking. Though it's clear from the recipes in "The First American Cookbook" that they didn't fret over calories or cholesterol, this fascinating little book does provide an interesting peek into the daily life of the early American housewife, plus a great guide for experiencing some of what our ancestors ate.

Snow Griddle Cakes
Love chocolate cake? Try this recipe for Snow Griddle Cakes. (Remember: Always use fresh snow!)

Five Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
Love chocolate cake? Try this recipe for Chocolate Cake in a Cup.

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Hot Cocoa
Our Colonial connection: Christopher Leffingwell and his brother, Elisha, established a cocoa mill in Norwich in 1770. Cocoa was part of the pay and supplies earned by soldiers of the revolution.

Is there anything better than curling up next to a roasting fire on a cold night and sipping a big ol' cup of hot chocolate (complete with mini marshmallows, of course)? And while it's hard to imagine anything more perfect, believe it or not, there are even tastier ways to indulge in the delicious drink:

Original Hot Cocoa:
Can't go wrong with an original.
Combine 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 3/4 cup of white sugar, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan.
Blend in 1/3 cup of boiling water.
Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes
Then stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but keeping it just below a boil.
Remove from heat and add in 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Serves 4.

Handcrafted Chocolate Made from an Authentic Colonial Recipe
Chocolate figures prominently in Early American history. With a rebellion against tea and everything British, our forefathers proudly chose hot chocolate and coffee drinks as symbols of freedom. Thus began chocolate's uniquely American journey of good taste.

Soon, chocolate found its way into many recipes, including baked goods and early chocolate bars. Using cacao beans ground by the local miller, such as Christopher Leffingwell, the bars were often flavored with other exotic tastes, such as chili pepper and mustard, from the spice trade.

Today, MARS, Incorporated manufactures American Heritage Chocolate-an authentic Colonial Chocolate recipe, made only with ingreedients available during the 17th century. Watch their chocolate making demonstration

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