Because One Good Abigail Adams Deserves Another

And I mourn the fact that strong, intelligent and resourceful women like her only seem to be noticed if they are married to someone like John Adams. Had there been a more open society Abigail would have been of even more consequence.

This is another of her recipes. It was developed to help bolster the use of coffee as the stimulant beverage of choice over the taxed and despised tea. Abigail served it at her famous coffee gatherings in Braintree. They were notable for their free wheeling and fascinating conversations.

Coffee Ginger Cakes


Sift together three times: 5 cups of flour and 2 cups of sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon Jamaica Ginger and 1 teaspoon soda. By hand, work in 1 egg.

In a double boiler combine 1 cup New Orleans Molasses, 1 cup hot strong coffee, 1 cup butter (2 sticks) and 3 teaspoons Madagascar Vanilla Liquor. (the old New England "Blackbirds" or slavers used to put halved vanilla beans into jugs of whiskey or rum it was an early form of vanilla extract). Heat until butter is completely melted.

Add the liquid into the flour mixture a little at a time and shape into a soft dough. Roll thick and cut into large round cakes. Bake at 400° (Abigail's recipe says "a hot oven") for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with coffee and conversation.

Writer's note: If you do not have HBO make some of these and insinuate yourself into the house of someone who does and insist on watching John Adams.

Who knows? Maybe we will finally get around to giving him the monument, or the face on a coin or bill that he deserves. I'm ready to ditch Jackson, Kennedy, or Grant in favor of Adams.

UPDATE

The Dark Wraith made this recipe with some slight modifications and has a post up about his results, with pictures. Rock. On. Brother.

3b's