Hildegard von Bingen’s Cookies of Joy
Wafer-like “cookies” that have a lovely blend of spices, but are otherwise a bit like hardtack (clack clack)
City/Region: Rhineland, Germany
Time Period: c. 1151-1158
In the 12th century, Hildegard von Bingen founded monasteries, criticized emperors, and was endorsed by the Pope. She also wrote recipes that were not meant for tasting good, but for doing good, as part of her medical texts. These “cookies”, made without sugar, butter, eggs, or leavener, certainly fit the bill of “not meant for tasting good”. The spice blend is quite nice, but there’s a slight bitterness from the whole wheat flour, and the hardtack-like wafer (clack clack) kind of turns back into dough when you eat it.
Hildegard recommends to “eat them often”, I recommend trying a more modern cookie with the same spice blend.
“Take some nutmeg and an equal weight of cinnamon and a bit of cloves, and pulverize them. Then make small cakes with this and fine whole wheat flour and water. Eat them often. It will calm all bitterness of the heart and mind, open your heart and impaired senses, and make your mind cheerful. It purifies your senses and diminishes all harmful humors in you. It gives good liquid to your blood, and makes you strong. ”
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (150 g) whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (237 ml) water
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.
- In a bowl, add the nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves to the flour and whisk everything together.
- Pour in the water and mix with a spoon or spatula. You’re looking for the consistency of a thick pancake batter, so you might need to add a bit more water. If you do, add it just a tablespoon or so at a time.
- Drop the batter onto the lined baking sheet a tablespoon at a time, smoothing each portion out into a thin round.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they get nice and crisp. Serve them forth with Hildegard von Bingen's Violet Wine, as you'll need something with which to wash them down.