Ancient Recipes: Cookies of Joy

This recipe was created over 900 years ago by the first ever recorded naturopath, Hildegard of Bingen, who believed in a simple eating regiment to good health.  She believed these cookies should be eaten often to increase positivity and to maintain a joyful spirit.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup butter
• 4 egg yolks
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 ½ cups spelt flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves

Directions:

Melt the butter under low heat and add the sugar, honey, and egg yolks, beating lightly; then gently combine and add the dry ingredients. 

Refrigerate the dough for an hour and then roll out onto a floured surface.  Cut with a cookie cutter or roll dough into walnut sized balls on a baking sheet.  

Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees or until golden.  

For more information on this recipe and other ancient recipes, check out this resource!