Baking the Weirdest COOKIES in 1796 🍪 Would You Try These?

Cilantro & cookies don't (usually) mix so what about their seeds: coriander? We'll follow a recipe exactly as it was written 228 years ago. Let's taste this American recipe from the 18th century! Food sure has changed.
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[@EarlyAmerican]

Yeah, I'm not so sure about these 😆. I'm curious about your opinion! Please refer to the recipe below, translated from the original at 6:32. Thank you. "Cookies," (American Cookery, Amelia Simmons, Connecticut, 1796) 0.5 cups of sugar 0.6 cups of water 1 teaspoon of pearlash OR 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 1 cup of milk 4-4.5 cups of flour 2 oz butter 1 heaping tablespoon of coriander seed, powdered. In a saucepan combine the sugar and water. On medium low heat bring to a simmer. Stir constantly until the water is reduced by 2/3. Take off your heat and set aside to cool. In a bowl cut the butter into your flour, like you'd do when making pie crust. Add the pearlash/baking soda dissolved in milk and coriander seed. Finally, add the cooled sugar syrup which once cooled should have thickened. Mix it well with your hands until you've formed a dough. The dough should be slightly sticky and not dry, but should not feel gooey. Roll out into a log that is half an inch thick on a well floured surface. Cut into slices that are also half an inch thick. Cut out with a cookie cutter or stamp with a cookie stamp (however you wish!). Bake in a 350 degree/176 c. oven for 15 minutes. * pearlash was a once popular leavening agent made out of potassium carbonate. The pearlash and potash industries of Early America were once essential to the early years of our country's economy. Interestingly, the first U.S. patent was granted to Samuel Hopkins in 1790 for his personal technique of making potash. This patent was signed by then president George Washington himself.

[@caroleleelocklear4090]

Even Mish-Mish is smelling the goings on!! I would have substituted cinnamon for coriander 😊😊 let's wait and see your faces on the chew!!

[@michelep1130]

Ty so much for explaining about it! I know he didn't have them (now) but I saw they were soft and automatically thought well they won't break George W.'s false teeth.lol

[@Jade_902]

The coriander made it awful I bet. Why not try cinnamon next time.

[@TamaraTAM_LAKALLE]

me i like coriander so so so much , for sure i will like to try it .. but Sunday i will try it anyway ..Thank you for the recipe

[@guest3015]

Why did the original receipt in the book replace some "S's" with "F"? The letter was broken and repaired mid-receipt? 🤔

[@ginajackson8482]

I am so grateful for you! I am caring for my aging parents and sister with learning disabilities. You and Ron bring so much joy and relaxation. Love you both and pray for you weekly❤️

[@TheHighlanderGirl]

I hope you are able to qualify for subsidized respite care. You need to care for yourself as well.

[@carolinebrown8965]

Bless you for taking care of your loved ones - I'm taking care of my Mom

[@payam-kb7qt]

Bless y'all may God help u with ur work and grant u in heaven ❤❤

[@corina6772]

May God bless for the love and care you give to your family ❤

[@sambowz9077]

Remember to take care of yourself too. Peace of the Lord be with you.

[@NOway264]

What always amazes me ist not just to be able to read these old books (especially the ones with handwriting) but also being able to cook with an oldschool fireplace and still making such awesome looking dishes.

[@holder1971]

I've heard of coriander in cookies before, usually paired with some sort of citrus flavoring, like orange.

[@trueheart8390]

Yep. I would. I've made coriander shortbread at Christmas. It has a lemony flavor.

[@ygordon141]

I pray that you are feeling better. There was also a sugar hammer used in England and other countries. I know it is still used in Morrocco, Tunisia and other countries in that area.

[@femalism1715]

Unusual ingredients and technique but the baked cookies LOOK good! Thanks Justine.

[@TheLoungeBoutique314]

Hope you’re feeling well Justine! If you haven’t found a good Rheumatologist yet, Dr Sandra Hoffman is from St. Louis and comes down here to Ste Gen a couple times a week, she’s a wonderful Dr. with a lot of experience and knowledge. I hope this helps. You and Ron stay in our prayers-Karen ❤

[@suzanneofthesouthernisles1224]

What a wholesome and good-natured channel. Thank you for your videos!! ❤❤❤😊😋🍪

[@chrismcelligott5462]

Interesting cookies. I wasn't have suspected coriander would be an ingredient. Can't wait to see what you and Ron think. Well at least we know MishMish loved his treat!

[@boogiesnanny]

I squealed like a little girl when the video posted!!! Thank you!!!

[@aimee2234]

Your face says it all. I love watching. Have a great evening and be blessed, Justine! xoxo

[@tandimolner1521]

Awesome job Justine I’m so grateful to have you and Ron n MishMish in my life and I’m very much praying for all three of you 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@eleanorripley5741]

Justine, I love your content and you and Ron are so awesome! Good and kind and I wish you all the best and good health. Thank you for all your hard work and beautiful vlogs that remind us of the best things in life and all the fun facts, very interesting Proud supporter ❤❤

[@TheLoungeBoutique314]

I’ve been excited for a new video, I binged all of yours and Ron’s 😂 love this! ❤

[@AllenMZim]

These may not be the best cookies I've ever seen, but I'd still give them the benefit of the doubt! 😋 Just as well, thank you for cooking them for us all, Justine! Can't wait to catch the Chew & Chat! 😃

[@SaritaPatterson]

Btw your videos bring calm and joy to my life with my paraplegic husband! Thank you

[@crazydiamond4565]

So glad you were feeling better Justine❤

[@mrsta1267]

I know you both are loving this cooler weather! Warm cookies sound perfect to go with it.

[@The_Wandering_Nook]

Love this ❤ also love the broom replacement 😆

[@ElliotThereal]

An excellent video today and I learned about loaf sugar! Thank you for delivering these to us. They always make the day better :) God bless!

[@Ameslan1]

I think it is interesting that the receipt from 1796 use the word "cookies" instead of "biscuits" like the UK uses for their "cookies" as "biscuits" especially at the time 1796 right after still having some "English" heritage after the American Revolutionary War" I would think would still use the UK name "biscuits" for cookies? It was cookies and biscuits during that time change in the UK? Perhaps Early Americans after the Revolutionary War wanted to use a different word than "biscuits" and America use the new word "cookies" to show separation from England as an Independent Country?

[@MulanBelle]

The American use of the word "cookie" is derived from a Dutch word and has been use since the colonial days. Though I imagine back then, it was more popularly used in New York, which was originally a Dutch colony before the English took over.

[@Ameslan1]

@@MulanBelle Interesting! Thank you for that explanation. Because so today's time many British reactors ask why Americans use cookie instead of biscuit and that biscuit in the USA is a savory roll instead of a sweet scone in the UK.. So the answer is that Americans used the Dutch word of Cookie and that stuck! Makes sense!

[@seasonsofphilly1993]

Wonderful to see you cooking, Justine! I hope you are taking care of yourself and making your health a priority. Even before I saw the look on your face, I thought coriander was an odd choice. Plus, I'm more of a crunchy cookie kind of person, instead of the softer kind. But, always love when you show us what early Americans were eating.

[@judymcdermott3466]

I’m loving these videos! Mishmish is such a gorgeous kitty!!

[@TheRealJules]

Sure, I’d try them! Maybe on the sweet-savory side?

[@robdixon7732]

Yeah I got a feeling Ron won't be a fan. Lol

[@rosschamberlain1823]

I'll have to try this! I love the idea of ground coriander seed. It's not just for savory recipes. Works great in sweets as well. Cumin too, believe it or not.

[@jenniferdyke3335]

The coriander made me wrinkle my nose -- I couldn't imagine that in a cookie. Also, the texture looks odd, but maybe dunked in coffee?? 💗

[@kimbee3083]

Coriander! Oh my😮😂❤😊

[@NNancy-n1g]

I love your redware cookie press. I am putting one on my Christmas list!

[@Tameasa]

They reminded me of a Shortbread cookie, but coriander! 🤢

[@carlathemet3511]

Nice video, keep up the good work.

[@safiremorningstar]

Sugarloaf I still sold better not so common in Central America where I grew up they actually sold it and also sold a candy equivalent called a bocadillo that literally translates to a little mouthful it was literally a raw bunch of sugar a loaf of sugar that was you had it in the corners but the ones for kids were in a little rectangular loaf literally a little mouthful... And they also still sell the nippers for it as well but I can't remember ever seeing them come in white cones I've seen them only in brown or kind of a light honey colored loaf but yeah they still sell it in the nippers although they're much smaller than the ones you have.

[@faithharley9538]

Hi. Hope you both health, and many blessings. Always looking forward to your videos, and to seeing Mish Mish, too! Wondering if you still have the rooster that would crow every 5 seconds...:)

[@JamesNYCGuy3]

Hey! Here for something relaxing!

[@kathynorris2371]

Thanks for sharing!❤

[@BessieMann]

You make it look easy cooking over an open fire but I am sure it takes practice

[@LurkerSmurf]

I read that as cardamom at first. My brain couldn't process coriander cookies. Kind of an odd shortbread recipe. Not something I'm likely to try.

[@Wild-b6k]

Justine I enjoyed watching your videos an old day bast from past it’s excellent job and old recipe thanks dude 👌🏼👍🏼😁

[@maryannedelaney]

I think if you didn’t have everything we have today, I think I would enjoy it and a child would love it!

[@theproplady]

I'm guessing the sugar was stored in a hard loaf to keep it safe from humidity and bugs? Would also be easier to transport and ship.

[@allrightyougotit]

Hi Justine, love your videos! In Mexico raw cane surgar (brown color) is still sold in a cone shape, is called "piloncillo"

[@michelep1130]

Wow cone sugar about how much is that? I better wait to see if you like them. Pearl ash? They cooked funny back then lol. Big as an English muffin. Soft.

[@maxibradshaw]

Hello everyone!! I love this channel ❤

[@missyyouknow6002]

I'd use lavender or rose water. This cookie base seems versatile.

[@flyingforfunwarthunder7116]

Justine i send you my thoughts and payers that you get to feeling better soon. I understand what you are going through with your uncertain health issues. I tell you this as someone who also has some issues that affect my health. Be of good cheer as you must know that God only gives us what he knows we can handle. i truly believe this in my heart. May you be well and find relief and comfort in your life! THANK YOU for still posting these fantastic glimpse into the past. I always smile and feel better after witching them. BIG HUG and Bless you and Ron!

[@jenniferrice5877]

😊 Looks like a moist ship's biscuit. Love your channel and your outfit.

[@safiremorningstar]

You know your cookie stamps remind me of my dad's used to print cards for the holidays and he made his own stamp which had a picture she literally carved the picture into it he was an artist besides being a clergyman let's put it that way and your cookie stamp reminds me of his card stand with the pictures he made on it so it's very interesting that that kind of a stamp was made for cookies.

[@andymontemayor175]

Coriander seeds go well with apples. The Romans used to dip apples in coriander seeds as a snack. Great video!

[@jukthewise8776]

Coriander comes across as a soapy flavor to me . I’d like to think it was a typo and they meant cinnamon. 😄

[@EarlyAmerican]

She has a few cookies in the same book that include coriander 😅

[@chloemartel9927]

It is genetic. You apparently have the same gene as I do, which causes coriander/cilantro taste like soap.

[@cathielamson4616]

I’d give them a try!

[@georgiasmith64]

2:28 Mish Mish, the Halloween cat!!😃

[@rebeccaback3287]

We would try these. Try again. David and Rebecca Back.

[@JohnnyK60]

I think these would go well with tea, more than coffee. Is pearl ash ground pearls? 😮

[@pheart2381]

Ash from burning wood I think. The white ash,not the darker stuff. Nope,I got that wrong. Potassium carbonate.

[@heatherfitzgibbon]

OK. Modern substitutions that I can think of and thanks to Google is baking soda for pearl ash and light corn syrup for the sugar in water boiled down to a syrup. They look nice, but not sure about the coriander. Thanks for the video!

[@wayneshirey6999]

Like the bonnet. Puts you in the 19th century looking good. Oops, 1796? Okay, the 18th century and still looking good.

[@umaghargi4765]

I think coriander is an odd combination. It may have turned good if salt , instead of sugar should have mixed. It would have been great if pepper was also mixed with it.

[@VarongTangkitphithakphon]

coriander seeds in Asia we have one dish which is sweetened dried pork which usually comes in like 3 flavors; plain, pepper, and coriander. I could guess the favor as when cooked, the coriander is giving favor more like black pepper which goes well with this sweetened pork. But I agree that it might be an acquired taste. I would love to make this recipe.

[@ravenred201]

i'm thinking the coriander ruined it...i would have put nuts, raisins, cranberries or something like that....not coriander. Shocked they like that back when! lol

[@UnEmily]

The coriander sounds intriguing. I would have swapped it for caraway though. We have a 100+ year old recipe from my great grandmother that we still use for sugar cookies that are flavored with caraway, and they are delightful.

[@Jade_902]

Caraway seeds? Aren’t those use in rye bread?

[@UnEmily]

@@Jade_902 Yes, I believe so! It's surprisingly good sweet. At least we think so. =D

[@shannonevans9055]

Mrs, you just made seed cakes! Expect a knock on your door promptly, and dwarves and wizards and all sorts of adventures to commence!

[@Nylak-Otter]

I would try these, for sure! I admit that I have odd tastes, though. I think I've actually made some cookies like this before with coriander, and I added a bit of orange and lime zest into the mix. My partner has the genetic predisposition to dislike coriander and cilantro and the like, so I only made them once, though. Since other commenter are saying it feels like shortbread I might give these a go, since shortbread is absolutely the best thing ever. I have a weird relationship with sweets; I like them mixed with bitter, sour, or savory flavors. I was the weird kid who preferred dark ginger and root beer and liked to snack on black licorice and anise hard candies. I swear I'm otherwise pretty normal.

[@ivybrummer]

Coriander!!?? No!!!

[@Jade_902]

I agree! Coriander is for savory dishes.

[@katfrench5003]

Seeing what all you go through to make cookies or bread or any meal makes me thank my stove and oven and microwave at home.

[@sheilahperry-rosales8748]

Hurting and carrying on is the hardest thing to do. I have pain in everything joint plus a degenerative spine. Winters are the worst. I pray for you daily.

[@coffeeandscarves]

Love the sugar cone! It'd be fun if sugar still came like that.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

I wouldn't mind trying them.

[@michaelgurvitz9310]

Pearl ash, in ancient times, was created by baking potash in a kiln in order to remove impurities. The remaining fine, white powder was pearl ash. Potassium carbonate is an inorganic compound and a white salt which is soluble in water.

[@jaydoggy9043]

0:46 I believe there's been more than one account of using a hammer and chisel, and I don't blame them at all looking at this moment.

[@keithg7667]

They look wonderful

[@luzyfuturosr7423]

Me gustó mucho, excelente receta.

[@clairefarnell9489]

Just adore Coriander. Especially in cookies/ biscuits. Now,where to get that Pearl Ash?

[@normfromhawaii1173]

Again a big billowy dress. Ladies must have caught fire in those days! As for the recipe, I'll try most things at least once. I love your content. With aloha...

[@susannay.3437]

So cool to watch! How long did it take for the sugar to cook down to a syrup?

[@pamellamitchell2380]

I'd like to know where you baked these? I see them on a nice baking sheet, but where in the fireplace? It's a mystery for me. Love your videos, so educational.

[@LisaG442]

Your little bonnet looks so cute.

[@dianamarsden1933]

Well that was interesting recipe! Are you okay Justine? Was it hot? Your face is red. Please take it easy and rest. We will wait for you! I just want you to feel better,💐😌

[@safiremorningstar]

Excuse me for asking but what is Pearl Ash?

[@theproplady]

a leavening agent. Sort of like an old fashioned baking soda.

[@Jedapoo]

I love coriander, but I don't know about that much in a cookie. It's good to add some into things like pumpkin pie spice blends and curries, but as the only spice in a dessert? I dunno.... Lol, good video regardless❤

[@AndiS-dz4pq]

Flour and coriander together, what’s not to love 😋

[@mikekz4489]

FYI, I saw you in a “when my wifi is down” type of meme. Fortunately, a lot of people in the comments know your KZbin channel and recognized you.

[@bestfriendleavespawmarks]

These are interesting videos!🤗 I love these!💗

[@treeman3663]

Hi justine from Australia 🇦🇺

[@frann.8879]

Hi Justine…I’d have to say “no” to these cookies, you lost me at “coriander “….but I enjoyed your content/presentation !🤷‍♀️❤️🤷‍♀️❤️

[@joannexavier-troxel6956]

These look more like mini flatbreads than cookies, considering the fact that you made dough instead of batter. They still look delicious, and I do enjoy coriander.

[@CatherineAragon1536]

They look interesting. Thanks for the new upload. Hoping that you are feeling alright now. God bless you.

[@lavoixdevelours]

They're interesting, but I can see why they went out of style. Maybe they'd be better with a strong citrus tea.

[@tlrice72]

Hey Justine 👋 you lost me at coriander seed. Not for cookies at least. 😊

[@sr.marycatharineperry547]

In my home town, Bolton MA, there is Sugar Rd, so named because long ago a man stole a cone of sugar hidoit under his stop hat! They tried to catch him as he ran down the road. I guess eventually they did.

[@SaritaPatterson]

I wonder how they ever figured out what and how to use ingredients to make these recipes

[@julianneavery6995]

Not sure about this. I think going back in history biscuits where also called cookies. so that may be the case with this.

[@ScottALanter]

Very interesting to watch. But, I can honestly say this is one I have no desire to try. We've come too far in the world of cookies to go back. 😊

[@maryg3143]

I wouldn't choose coriander for a spice! Cinnamon, yes.

[@erineisenegger7968]

Another great video😊 Question did they make chocolate chip cookies in the 1800s, and if they do can make a video of you making them

[@phantomwheeler81]

Stay awesome

[@big_burly_bro]

Before the video even starts, I'll be honest with you, it's a short list of cookies that I wouldn't try at least once.

[@mattstosh6960]

Hmmmm. I had to look up Pearl Ash. That was a new surprise.

[@lesliebrickey8357]

Pearl ash? I wonder what that is!

[@lindareinking5326]

❤loved the video..

[@MatthewTheWanderer]

I hate cilantro with a passion because it tastes like soap to me. I'm not sure is coriander seeds taste like cilantro leaves, though. But, I suppose I would try a bite of these cookies if someone offered me one. I certainly wouldn't make them, though.