Koekje, Cooky, or Cookie? A History of American Christmas Cookies (Zoom)

Program Type:

Lecture

Age Group:

Adults, Seniors
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Allowed Ages: Over 18

Event Details

Why do the Brits call them biscuits and we call them cookies? The answer lies in the 17th-century Dutch colony of New Netherland. But cookies have a peculiar history. Once the purview only of the wealthy, their flavors, shapes, and textures have changed over time. Influenced by changing technologies, household labor, slavery, social status, agricultural innovations, and immigration, cookies have become the standard American Christmastime treat. But how did we get there? 

In this illustrated lecture, food historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson discusses the history of cookies in America, Christmas traditions through the ages, and why we eat so many cookies during the holiday season.

Hosted on Zoom. Free and open to all.

This program is brought to you by Warner Library, Putnam Valley Library, Staatsburg Library, Millbrook Library, and Stone Ridge Public Library.