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Recipes of Christmas Cookies Past: A Milwaukee Christmas (Cookie) Carol!

By MPL Staff on Dec 4, 2014 11:08 AM
Photo courtesy of We Energies

Pictured here are some tasty treats from the 1932 We Energies Cookie Book. We Energies, which was once known as The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company, have been producing their annual Cookie Book since 1928. The Central Library’s Lucile E. and Richard Krug Rare Books Room has a collection of the Cookie Book going back to 1932. These gems are great for their historic recipes and Christmas nostalgia. The book features timeless suggestions such as how to mix the cookies with fat, how to make a “magic cover” (white canvas with flour rubbed in the surface) and of course, how to save on energy costs.

This edition features 63 recipes ranging from cookies and fruit cakes, to dessert bars and puddings. It even has some ethnic recipes like Pfeffernusse (tiny spice cookies), Springerle (German biscuits with an embossed design), and Totenbeinli (Swiss hazelnut cookies). For anyone who is really adventurous, the book has a “Mystery Cake” recipe that “improves with age”. Hint: the secret ingredient is tomato soup!

Stay tuned for more historic We Energies cookie recipes throughout the month of December. If you would like to view the cook books, please contact the Arts, Music and Recreation Room at (414) 286-3071 to schedule an appointment.

 



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