A lot of people are feeling anxious and depressed about the state of the world right now, and with good cause. Things feel quite bleak out there, and there’s far more bad news than good being circulated. Nearly 900 years ago, an abbess and healer named Hildegard von Bingen (now known as St. Hildegard) baked up a remedy for those who were feeling melancholy. Her “cookies of joy” are delicious morsels that are sure to lift just about anyone’s spirits, especially during difficult times.
Who was Hildegard von Bingen?
Hildegard von Bingen was a German abbess and polymath. In addition to being a mystic and prophetess, she was also a composer and a gifted healer. In fact, some of the treatments she devised for her patients have been proven by modern science. Some are even still used by contemporary herbalists and physicians!
Her feast day is held annually on September 17th. To celebrate it, why not honor her dedication to health and wellbeing? Bake some cookies to share with loved ones, and brew a pot of tea. Then sit outside somewhere beautiful and enjoy them in good company.
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Cookies of Joy Recipe
This recipe was adapted by Sam O’Brien for Atlas Obscura, as the original one is a bit bland for modern palates. In 1157, Hildegard wrote about her cookies:
“Eat them often, and they will calm bitterness of heart and mind, your hearing and senses will open. Your mind will be joyous, your senses purified and harmful humors will diminish.”
Ingredients:
- 12 tablespoons butter (or Earth Balance if you’d like to make these vegan)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 4 egg yolks (or 4 tablespoons flax seed jelly)
- 2 1/2 cups spelt flour* (or 2 cups spelt flour and 1/2 cup ground almonds)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
Spelt flour can usually be found in the baking aisle of your local supermarket. If you can’t find it there, check a local health food store, or order it online. Websites such as Natura Market, Healthy Planet, and iHerb usually have it in stock. Additionally, if you’d like to make this recipe gluten-free, Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour is ideal. Another option is King Arthur Measure for Measure with xanthan gum added.
Instructions:
- Melt the butter, then mix it with the sugar, honey, and egg yolks in a large bowl. Then add in the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate this dough for at least an hour.
- Flour a clean countertop or table, and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Then cut the dough into small circles (or heart shapes!) using an upturned glass or a cookie cutter.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and transfer the cookies onto it. Then bake at 375 F for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, and enjoy.
If you like glazed cookies, you can also mix icing sugar with a bit of orange juice and zest. Drizzle this over the cooled cookies for added sweetness and a bright, citrusy flavour that compliments the spices well. Let sit for 30 minutes for the glaze to firm up, and serve.
Featured image by Geoffrey Moffett on Unsplash, paired with a vintage saint card