Joe Frogger facts for kids
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| Type | Cookie |
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| Place of origin | Marblehead, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Created by | Lucretia Brown |
| Main ingredients | Molasses, rum, spices |
The Joe Frogger is a special kind of cookie that has been popular in New England for a long time, since the late 1700s. These chewy cookies get their yummy flavor from molasses, rum, and warm spices like ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves.
Because Joe Froggers stayed fresh for a long time, they were perfect for sailors and fishermen to take on their long trips at sea. The first Joe Froggers were as big as pancakes and cooked in a hot iron pan. Today, they are usually smaller and baked in an oven.
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The Story of Joe Froggers
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Joe Froggers are named after Joseph Brown (1750-1834). He ran a place called Black Joe's Tavern in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The cookies were actually created by his wife, Lucretia Thomas Brown (1772-1857). She worked at the tavern too.
Joseph Brown was a free man who had once been enslaved. His mother was African-American and his father was Wampanoag, a Native American tribe. He might have gained his freedom because he served in the American Revolutionary War. Lucretia Brown, also known as "Aunt 'Crese," was the daughter of two people who had also been enslaved.
In 1795, Joseph and Lucretia Brown bought a saltbox house in Marblehead. This house was both their home and the place where they ran Black Joe's Tavern. The tavern was a well-known spot where fishermen of all backgrounds gathered.
How the Cookie Got its Name
There are many different stories about how Joe Froggers got their name. Some people say the cookie dough looked like a frog when it was dropped into the hot pan. Others believe they were named after the frogs living in the nearby mill pond.
Another idea is that the name "Froggers" might be a changed version of "Floggers." "Joe Floggers" were a type of pancake that sailors also took on their voyages.
Remembering Joseph Brown
The town of Marblehead honored Joseph Brown in 1976. They put up a memorial for him on Old Burial Hill during the American Bicentennial. Black Joe's Pond in Marblehead is named after him, and a nearby forest area became the Joseph Brown Conservation Area in 1973. The old tavern building, built in 1691, is still standing today. It is now a private home.
Where to Find Joe Froggers Today
Many different recipes for Joe Froggers exist online and in cookbooks. Sadly, Lucretia Thomas Brown's exact original recipe has been lost over time.
Today, you can find Joe Froggers sold in special places. They are sold in the cafeteria of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. You can also buy them at the bakeshop in Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum.
