Mary Arthur McElroy

Mary and Devil's Food Cake Cookies

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First Ladies - 1850 to 1900

Acting First Lady Mary McElroy (sister) and President Chester A. Arthur

Mary Arthur McElroy (sister)*

President Chester A.  Arthur*

Acting First Lady from 1881 - 1885
Quote from Mary - She remarked when taking on the duties of First Lady, "When I went into it, I was absolutely unfamiliar with the customs and formalities."
Factoid - Mary believed that women should not have the right to vote.

Bio -

• Chester Arthur's wife, Ellen, died less than two years before he became Vice President to James Garfield and then President after Garfield's assassination.
• Chester's young daughter came to the White House with him, so he asked his married sister, Mary Arthur McElroy, to come to the White House to help raise his daughter and help with hosting duties. Due to his love for his deceased wife, Chester wouldn't grant Mary the title of First Lady. Mary, her husband, and four children moved in for months at a time to help.  When she was not there, Chester organized events by himself.
• When Chester died in 1886, Mary became guardian to Chester's young daughter.

About Chester - As 21st President, Chester Arthur surprised his critics by supporting civil service reform and signing the Pendleton Act, which established merit-based hiring for federal jobs. Although he was initially a political insider, he distanced himself from politics while in office. His presidency is remembered for reform and quiet competence.

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Devil's Food Cake Cookies

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Devil's Food Cake was a new trend in Chester Arthur’s time, but it quickly became his favorite dessert.  It was served to guests at the White House, much to their delight!   We've modernized Chester's favorite cake into cookie form - still delicious, just bite-sized.

Ingredients - Cookies
1 (15.25) ounce box Devil's Food cake mix
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients - Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1 cup butter, softened
3 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa (unsweetened)
3 tablespoons cream, half & half or whole milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla

Steps - Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.  Prepare a cookie sheet by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
2. Put all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir together by hand.  If the dough is sticky, refrigerate about 20 minutes or so. 
3. Scoop out dough with a tablespoon and with clean hands, shape it into balls.  Place on prepared cookie sheet and flatten just a little with the back of a spoon.  
4. Bake for about 10 minutes.  Let cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes or so, then transfer to a wire rack to finish.  Cool completely before frosting. 

Steps - Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

1. Beat butter for 2 minutes or so in a mixing bowl.
2. Add rest of ingredients and beat for a couple more minutes.  (If it's too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar; if too thick, add more milk.
3. Frost cooled cookies and enjoy.  

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Recipe Card

Portrait Credits*
Mary Arthur McElroy (sister) - White House hostess for President Chester Arthur. 1885. Photograph. Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Chester A. Arthur - Ole Peter Hansen Balling painting, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons