MAry Todd Lincoln

Mary and Sugar Cookies

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First Ladies - 1850 to 1900

Mary Todd Lincoln*

President Abraham Lincoln*

First Lady Mary and President Abraham Lincoln
First Lady - 1861 - 1865
Quotes from Mary -

• "Plant your feet and stand firm. The only question is where to put your feet."
• "I do not belong to the public; my character is wholly domestic, and the public have nothing to do with it."
• "... our guests recognize the position of President as first of all; consequently, he takes the lead in everything; well now, if they recognize his position, they should also recognize mine. I am his wife."

Factoid - Mary and Abraham's two sons had many pets at the White house.  Their son, Tad, played every day with a turkey named Jack!   When it was time to cook Jack for Christmas dinner, Tad begged for him to be spared.  He was and so began the tradition of the White House pardoning a turkey during the holidays.
Bio -  

• Growing  up in a wealthy and politically aware family, Mary learned early on to be opinionated.  It was that mutual interest in politics that attracted her to Abraham Lincoln, who met Mary when he began work as a lawyer. 
• They married in 1842 and had four sons.  Mary was busy as mother, and home manager, but she also offered political advice to Abraham annd hosted political events.  Upon learning that he won the Presidential election, Abraham ran home shouting, "Mary, Mary, we are elected."
• As First Lady during the Civil War, Mary was a perfect hostess in the White House, offering diplomacy in a tumultuous time.  Mary was often criticized by both Union and Confederated sides as being a traitor in the White House.  Meanwhile, few gave her credit for her visits to Union troops in hospitals or her fund-raising to aid previously enslaved people moving to the North.
• Two of Abraham and Mary's sons died and then Abraham was assassinated while he and Mary were attending a production at Ford's Theater.  A few years later, their youngest son died.  Sadly, grief played a large part in the last few years of Mary's life, affecting her mental and physical health.

About Abraham - Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President and one of the best-remembered.  He led the nation through the Civil War, preserved the Union, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which began the process of ending slavery. He delivered powerful speeches like the Gettysburg Address and pushed for the 13th Amendment. He was assassinated in 1865, just days after the war ended.

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Sugar Cookies

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The recipe is inspired by the one in A. Lincoln Cookbook, A Cookbook of Epic Portions by Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened to room temp
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, room temperature, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons milk or cream
3 tablespoons extra granulated sugar for rolling

Steps
If you are going to use cookie cutters to cut this dough into shapes, refrigerate the dough for a couple of hours first.

1. In a mixing bowl, combine butter, granulated sugar, and beat until creamy. 
2. Beat in egg and milk, then add vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Gradually add to butter mixture and mix until blended.
4. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate 2 hours.   Leave in refrigerator until time to use.
5. Preheat oven to 375° F.  Prepare cookie sheets by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
6. For regular cookies: With clean hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Drop balls into granulated sugar and roll them around. Using an everyday kitchen glass, dip the base into the sugar and press the balls out onto prepared cookie sheets about 1 to 2 inches apart.
7. For cookie cutter shapes:  Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick on a floured surface.  Cut with cookie cutter and place on prepared cookie sheets about 1-inch apart.  (If not decorating later, you can sprinkle with granulated sugar.
8. Bake in a preheated 375° F oven for 7 - 9 minutes or until light golden.  Check frequently.
9. Cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling.  If you are decorating cookie-cutter cookies, cool completely before decorating.

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Recipe Card

Portrait Credits*
Mary Todd Lincoln - Artist Katherine Helm, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Abraham Lincoln - George Peter Alexander Healy, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons