Harriet Lane Johnston (Buchanan)

Harriet and Apees Cookies

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First Ladies - 1850 to 1900

Harriet Lane Johnston  (niece)*

President James Buchanan*

Acting First Lady Harriet Lane (niece) and President James Buchanan
Acting First Lady - 1857 - 1861
Quote from Harriet -  "Uncle (President Taylor) places so much confidence in me that he gives himself no uneasiness."
Factoids - Harriet was very stylish and well-known for her low necklines and her love of roses.
Bio - 

• Both of Harriet's  parent died when she was very young, leaving her as on orphan.  Her uncle, James Buchanan, then a senator and a  bachelor, became her guardian.  He took her to England, when he became Ambassador. When James became President, it was natural that Harriet would step up to take on First Lady duties.  
• Harriet proved to be an asset to James, with her charm, political knowledge, and beauty.  The public loved her and she did not lack for male suitors!   Harriet used her popularity to further causes that were dear to her, such as  improving living conditions of Native Americans.  Harriet turned down many proposals, but did marry lawyer Henry Johnston while serving in the White House. 
• Harriet and Henry had two sons, who were physically impaired and for whom no medical help existed.  Their death led to Harriet and Henry to help families with low income find health care for their children with long term illnesses.  They founded the Harriet Lane Home in 1912, which is today the Harriet Lane Clinic, an important part of Johns Hopkins Children's Center.  
• Harriet was also an important benefactor to the arts; she left her art collection to the Smithsonian.  Johnston left her extensive art collection to the Smithsonian Institution. 

About James - James Buchanan was the 15th president; he believed the Constitution protected slavery.  During his Presidency, the Confederate States of America formed in 1865.  His presidency is widely seen as weak and indecisive, leading directly into the Civil War.

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Apees Cookies

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Apees Cookies were a favorite of James Buchanan.  Originating in Germany, the American recipe was popular in the Pennsylvania Dutch community, where James was born. Apees are a spiced butter cookie which seems to have two versions: thin and crispy or cake-like.  Two foodie legends tell how Apees Cookies or A.P. Cookies got their name.  One says the cookies were Anis Platchen (anise cookies) and the "AP" stamped on top showed they contained anise.  The second declares that baker Ann Page's cookies were the most popular in  Philadelphia and the "AP" stamped on the cookie tops identified her!

Ingredients
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1/2 cup of sour cream
2 cups all-purpose flour
pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps

1. In a mixing mixing bowl, mix together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the egg. 
2. Turn off the mixer and gently fold in the sour cream. 
3. Gradually stir in the flour, mixing  until it's well blended.  
4. With clean hands, form a disk with the dough, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350° F.
6. Roll the dough on a floured surface to 3/8 to 1/2 inch thickness.  Cut into circles with the rim of a glass or a cookie cutter.
7. Place cookie dough on an un-greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake in preheated oven until the edges are a golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.  
9. Remove from the oven and cool.

Recipe Card

Portrait Credits*
Harriet Lane Johnston (niece) - CC0, Matthew Brady Studio, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Frederick Hill Meserve Collection, Public Domain via Wikipedia Commons
​James Buchanan - George Peter Alexander Healy, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the National Gallery of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons