Moravian spice cookies facts for kids
| Type | Cookie |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients | Spices, molasses |
Moravian spice cookies are a special kind of cookie. They first came from early American communities. These communities were settled by members of the Moravian Church. The cookies are famous for being super thin. Many people even call them the "World's Thinnest Cookie"!
These tasty treats are made with a mix of spices and molasses. They are rolled out so thin, almost like paper. Their recipes are very old, going back to the 1600s. They are also related to a German cookie called Lebkuchen.
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What Makes Moravian Cookies Special?
Moravian spice cookies are very popular, especially around Christmas. They are a big part of traditions in places like Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. These cities have the largest Moravian communities in the United States.
Christmas Traditions
During Christmas, families in these communities used to open their homes. They would show off amazing Nativity scenes. These scenes often featured large tree stumps found in nearby woods. Guests would visit these homes and enjoy the beautiful displays. Offering cookies to visitors was a very important part of this tradition.
The spice cookies were central to these gatherings. Many families also made a sugar cookie. This sugar cookie was rich with butter and flavored with nutmeg.
Unique Cookie Cutters
Families often made their own cookie cutters. These special cutters were passed down through generations. The shapes were usually farm animals. This was because animals were part of the Nativity story. Some families even had large, fancy cookie cutters. Using these took real skill to cut and bake perfectly.
Today, some bakeries still make these cookies by hand. But many now use machines to keep up with demand. Machine-made cookies taste the same. However, some people say they are not quite as thin as the handmade ones.
Other Kinds of Moravian Cookies
While the spice cookie is the most traditional, other flavors exist. Over the years, new versions have become popular. You can find Moravian cookies in flavors like sugar, lemon, black walnut, and even chocolate.
