Sarah Childress Polk

Sarah and Pecan Macaroon Cookies

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First Ladies - 1800 to 1850

First Lady Sarah and President James Polk

Sarah Childress Polk*

President James Polk*

First Lady 1845 - 1849
Factoids -

• Sarah refused to let people dance at the White House.  She believed it to be undignified and disrespectful.
• During Sarah's time as First Lady, gas pipes were installed at the White House, providing heat and light!

Bio -

• Sarah Polk came from a wealthy family in Tennessee.  She was well-educated and paid close attention to the politicians ever present in the family home.  Sarah married James Polk and soon after, he was elected to Congress and served for 14 years.  Sarah gained a wealth of experience hosting political dinners and events.  The couple never had children, so Sarah devoted her attention to being the best hostess and furthering her husband's career.  She was his secretary, advisor, and  active in his political campaigns.
• When James was elected President, Sarah concentrated on First Lady duties.  She held weekly receptions at the White House, but stopped the tradition of refreshments - and no hard liquor or dancing!
• Sarah also continued to be involved in politics in the White House.  Quite often, behind closed doors, Sarah negotiated with politicians, furthering James's policies.  She was a powerhouse!

About James - James was the 11th President.  His timeline includes important events such as the California Gold Rush. James oversaw territorial expansion through the Mexican-American War. He served during the Mexican War and added the states of Texas and California to the United States territory.

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Pecan Macaroon Cookies

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Food legend declares that Sarah Polk was a  fine cook.  Hickory nuts were popular and plentiful at that time and she made cakes and cookies with them.  Since hickory nuts are a little like pecans, this modern cookie version contains pecans instead.  These remind me of Divinity Candy!!  

Yield - 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients
3 cups pecans
1 & 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 egg whites, slightly beaten, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps
I made these in the food processor, but if you don't have one, simple chop pecans by hand and use a mixer.

1. Preheat oven to 325° F.  Prepare 2 cookie sheets by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
2. Grind the pecans in the food processor for about a minute.
3. Pour in sugar and keep processing until nuts are finely ground.
4. Add egg whites, salt, and vanilla; process until the dough begins to form a ball. 
5. With clean hands, make balls about 2-teaspoonful.  Put an inch apart on prepared cookie sheets.  
6. Bake 20-25 minutes or until very lightly browned. Cool a bit before serving. 

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Recipe Card

Portrait Credits*
Sarah Polk - Portrait - George Dury, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons;
James Polk - George Peter Alexander Healy, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Public domain