Sophie's Magic Hermits

I pulled out the old recipe cards again. And by old, I mean from my Great Grandma Sophie Pitura's recipe box. I just LOVE these old time cookie recipes. Hermits are spiced cookies and there is rumor they were named "Hermits" because they resemble a hermit or monk's brown robe when dropped on the baking sheet. Another explanation is that Moravians, who were known for spicy cookies, were called "herrnhutter" in German or Dutch, and "herrnhutter" might have sounded like "hermits" to an English-speaking cook. Regardless, they are an old time cookie with a fun name, and taste great!

1/2 cup butter (I used margarine)

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup raisins

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chopped, pitted dates
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

- Cream together butter/margarine and brown sugar.
- Beat in eggs, milk, vanilla and nutmeg.
- Stir in raisins, walnuts and dates.
- Fold in remaining dry ingredients until completely combined.
- Dropped dough on cookie sheet, and slightly flatten.
- Bake @ 350 for 15 minutes.

To take your taste buds for a walk down memory lane, click to see more Sophie's Recipes or visit my Prairie Story.

Sophie's Peanut Butter Cookies

Here is another treat from my Great Grandma Sophie Pitura's recipe box. I knew I would love this old fashioned recipe as soon as I saw it called for vinegar. These are my favorite peanut butter cookies and must be eaten with a big glass of cold milk!

1/2 cup shortening (Crisco Gold)
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda

- Cream together shortening, peanut butter and brown sugar.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla. Then stir in vinegar.
- Mix in flour, salt and baking soda.
- Roll into 1 inch balls and place on baking sheets. Press down with fork to make crossed pattern.
- Bake @ 375° for 7-8 minutes, until edges turn brown.
- Make 36 cookies.

To take your taste buds for a walk down memory lane, click to see more Sophie's Recipes or visit my Prairie Story.

Sophie's Apple Sauce Cake

I am beyond excited to be sharing this recipe as it comes from my Great Grandma Sophie Pitura's recipe box. She emigrated from Poland in the early 1900s and married my Great Grandfather, Paul Pitura, who actually is the one who wrote most of these recipes on the cards. My Great Grandma passed away the year I was born, so I never knew her, however, I am feeling a little more connected as I make some of her 100+ year old recipes!

1 1/2 cups apple sauce (Slow Cooker Apple Sauce)
1 cup sugar
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup maraschino cherries, halved
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted margarine

- Combine apple sauce, sugar, raisins, nuts and cherries together and set aside.
- Sift together dry ingredients. Mix wet and dry together, and add in melted butter margarine while stirring.
- Place batter in a greased 9x9 pan. Bake @ 350° for 60 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee!

To take your taste buds for a walk down memory lane, click to see more Sophie's Recipes or visit my Prairie Story.

Sophie Pitura's Recipe Cards

Polish emigrants, Paul Pitura and Sophie Parnega married on November 19, 1906. Five sons were born to them, Frank, Stanley, Walter, and twins Carl and Joseph. They purchased a grocery store business in Winnipeg’s north end and operated it for some eight years. It entailed long and hard hours so they decided with a family of three sons that a better place to raise the family was on a farm in Domain – approximately 25 miles south west of Winnipeg.

Family values were very important being an officer of the Polish army brought with it discipline and respect, love and understanding. Paul and Sophie left a legacy of faith and a rich heritage; and some recently rediscovered recipes cards.

As I sit here writing this in 2010, it is almost unimaginable to me what my Great Grandparents went through to provide their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren (and so on), a "better" life.

In honor of my Great Grandma Sophie Pitura, I am beyond honored and excited to be sharing some of her recipes. My Great Grandma passed away the year I was born, so I never knew her, however, I am feeling a little more connected as I make some of her 100+ year old recipes!

To take your taste buds for a walk down memory lane, click here to see Sophie's Recipes or visit my Prairie Story.

Alison (Pitura) Zulyniak