Joe Frogger Cookies

By Hklbrries

Ginger-nutmeg flavored cookies. The recipe makes a crisp yet chewy cookie with a distinct holiday flavor.

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.

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.

Ingredients

• 6 to 7 cups sifted flour
• 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
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

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 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.