Vintage Eats Recipe: Butterscotch Almond Cookies for Cancer Institute Staff

I know, I know. Another cookie recipe.

Really, though, is anyone complaining about too many yummy cookie recipes?

I don’t think so. It must have been my imagination.

This week I’m posting a vintage recipe from 1959 for a cookie made even more special because of whom I served them to — A very special group of health professionals at the Cancer Institute in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Sadly, my husband is a patient there. This week I baked this recipe and took the batch to the wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to helping people with difficult health challenges.

It helped me face another long day of his treatment, knowing we would distribute them to people who are helping my husband and hundreds of other people get their lives back.

When we handed the batch to the women who assist people at the front door, they were delighted. We were told the cookies would be taken to the staff break room and we made sure to tell every employee we talked to that they were there. They all expressed their thanks, but it was my husband and me who told them a bigger thanks.

Since we began this journey in 2023, we have met such kind people at the Cancer Institute. Baking for them every few weeks is a small way to show them how much we depend on them and what we also receive.

Researching vintage recipes has given me something to do in the midst of our chaos of dealing with his illness — packing up our house to move to a one-story for his ease of movement and putting my career as an author/speaker on hold (I’ve published 9 books of interviews on WWII vets).

Researching and preserving vintage recipes may not seem like much of a project, but it keeps my mind busy with studying history and learning new baking/ cooking techniques. Someday I’ll dedicate an entire post to my newfound love for The Great British Baking Show!

Another treat was seeing my husband’s eyes light up as he tasted these cookies. He’s not normally a butterscotch kind of guy. But he devoured these after his treatment (in a couple of days he won’t feel like eating for several days).

I plan to bake more for a friend’s birthday party this weekend.

I don’t plan to make this a blog about my husband’s health, but I may occasionally mention our flux just so you know of big changes like a move. We’ve not sold our house yet, but we’ll need to move soon to accommodate his health needs.

Prayers are appreciated.

I hope this recipe brings delight to you today, whatever journey you’re on.

Coincidentally, the recipe was in a cookbook published in 1959 that originated from my area. It is called “Wells County Home Demonstration Clubs Cook Book.”

It may have included a recipe or two from my beloved mother-in-law who was a member of a home economics club, but unfortunately, no names are listed after the recipes.

**

Butterscotch Almond Cookies

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. white sugar

1 ½ c. shortening

2 beaten eggs

1 T. vanilla

1 t. soda

2 T. vinegar (my first time to use vinegar in cookies!)

2 t. baking powder

½ t. salt

4 c. sifted flour

1 t. almond

Cream sugars, shortening, eggs, vanilla and almond. Dissolve soda in vinegar and add. Gradually mix in sifted dry ingredients. Mold into small balls and press with fork or chill in refrigerator, then slice and bake at 375 degrees.

Makes 3 dozen.

My notes:

This was a sticky dough. I added a tablespoon of flour at a time until it didn’t stick to my hands as I shaped them into balls.

The same was true with my fork — it needed to be dipped in flour after each use to avoid it sticking to the dough.

#vintagecookbook #Cookbook

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