Jane Appleton PIerce

6/21/2025

Jane and Apple Thumbprint Cookies

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First Ladies - 1850 to 1900

Jane Appleton Pierce*

President Franklin Pierce*

First Lady Jane and President Franklin Pierce
First Lady from - 1853 - 1857
Quote from Jane - "Oh how I wish he [Franklin Pierce] was out of political life! How much better it would be for him on every account!"
Factoid - The tradition of a Christmas Tree in the White House started with Jane.
Bio -

Jane Pierce's story is a tragic one. Jane met Franklin Pierce when he was a young lawyer interested in politics. They did not marry until Jane was 28 and even then over the protests of her family. Early on, Jane tried to discourage Franklin from entering the political scene, but to no avail. However, after the death of their new baby, added to Jane's dislike of politics, Franklin did retire as U.S. Senator. The next year, a second son died.
Franklin fought in the Mexican, returned home, and for several years, the couple lived happily and quietly with their remaining son, Benjamin. In 1852, Franklin was made a candidate for President, causing Jane to faint when she heard the news. Franklin convinced her that life as President would be a good turn for the family, especially son, Benjamin, age 11.
Tragically, on their way to Washington , their train derailed and Franklin and Jane watched their remaining son die. Benjamin's death was mourned throughout the Nation.
Devastated, Jane did not attend either Benjamin's funeral or the inauguration. Eventually, Jane came to Washington, but the loss of their son affected her and her health for the rest of her life. Jane, highly religious, turned to prayer, as well as holding séances to communicate with her son. It was more than a year before she could handle some of her First Lady duties; her good friends Abigail Means and Varina Davis helped her. Jane rarely left the White House, welcoming only close family and friends, and writing letters to Benjamin to ask forgiveness.

About Franklin - Franklin Pierce was the 14th President. During his term, the Gadsden Purchase acquired territory in Arizona and New Mexico. Franklin supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and increased sectional conflict. His administration also saw increasing violence over slavery.

Apple Thumbprint Cookies

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Franklin Pierce liked simple, traditional foods from his native New Hampshire. Apples seemed to appear in most of his favorite sweets - fried apple pies, apple pies, apple pan dowdy. I've morphed these apple favorites into a cooke that I'll bet he would have loved.

Apple Filling Ingredients
2 apples - peeled and cut into very small cubes
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Cookie Dough Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla
jelly or jam of your choice
3 sticks butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten

Steps for Apple Filling

In a skillet over low heat, stir together cubed apples, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Stir continually to avoid sticking.
Cook until soft, not mushy. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.

Steps for Cookie Dough and Baking Cookies

Cream butter and sugar.
Mix in egg yolks, flour, and vanilla.
Roll into balls the size of large marbles. Indent with thumb and fill with dab of the COOLED apple filling.
Bake in 350° oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Recipe Card

Portrait Credits*
Jane Pierce - John Chester Buttre, Public Domain via Wikipedia Commons
Franklin Pierce - George Peter Alexander Healy, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift from Trustees - Corcoran Gallery of Art, Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons