The Sweets of Yesteryear

Our friends and neighbors at Sunflour Bakery were very kind to present a special baking program for the Pawling Library, held in celebration of the library’s one-hundredth anniversary. This virtual presentation took place on the evening of March 30 from the kitchen of Sunflour Bakery. Baker Elizabeth Carlson, assisted by Deb Muroski, prepared two vintage cookie recipes that were popular in the early twentieth century.

The first recipe was for molasses cookies, which Elizabeth explained were an item back in the day as molasses was easily stored. Originally these treats started out as small gingerbread cakes, that eventually one day would be known as cookies. When baked the cookies crackle on top. They’re very pretty, and were often served during the holidays.

While the molasses cookies were in the oven, Elizabeth and Deb moved onto the next recipe for ice box cookies. After the ingredients are combined and thoroughly mixed, the cookie dough is placed in the refrigerator overnight. Before the invention of the refrigerator, the dough was placed in an ice box, which is how this cookie acquired its name.  In years past, people commonly enjoyed ice box cookies with their tea.

At the end of the program, just like a show from the Food Network, Elizabeth Carlson brought out a tray of chilled ice box cookie dough that had been prepared in advance for our audience.  The dough would be sliced into sections and baked for a short period of time.

Everyone was then told that a bag of molasses and ice box cookies, including their recipes, would be waiting for them at Sunflour Bakery. They’re delicious and easy to make.

This was Sunflour Bakery’s first official baking workshop and our patrons do hope that there will be more.

“First of all, thank you,” said one participant.  “I know I will certainly be stopping by to get some cookies. I enjoyed this class greatly, and I’m looking forward to getting the recipes as well so that I can make them for my child.”

“I just want to say, Mrs. Muroski is doing a fabulous job as your assistant,” said another person. “I couldn’t have done it without her.  We had fun,” said Elizabeth Carlson. “The library has been a good friend to us. It’s a pleasure to join in the celebration.”

Deb Muroski, who is a member of the Pawling Library’s Centennial Committee, made an announcement about our library’s upcoming Centennial Gala. The Gala will be held at The Links at Union Vale in Lagrangeville on Saturday, May 21, from 6:00-10:00 pm. Event details about this fundraiser and tickets are available on the Pawling Library website. All proceeds will go to the building of a new children’s wing for our library.

Thank you so very much Sunflour Bakery, and all the many people in our community. Thank you for celebrating a century of the Pawling Library.