Here are pages 18, 19 and 20 of the vintage Spry cookbook “Aunt Jenny’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookies”. This was published in 1952 and distributed by Lever Brothers Company (the maker of Spry shortening) and featured the company’s advertising character “Aunt Jenny”.
You can view all the pages in this cookbook by visiting this category: Aunt Jenny’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookies [1], simply click a page title to view that section. There are scans of the pages included below that are clickable to view a larger size.
With this single basic recipe for Lever House Macaroons you can make exciting cookies all through the year! January through December–there’s a macaroon for every month–each one different and all delicious!
LEVER HOUSE MACAROONS. Here’s a basic recipe! Flaky-crisp cookies with crinkly crusts, delightful chewiness, wonderful flavor! Perfect with New Year’s punch or eggnog…good for fireside snacks, too.
Combine and beat thoroughly:
1 cup Homogenized Spry
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 unbeaten eggs
Stir in…1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Sift together:
1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda; add to Spry mixture and blend.
Add…3 cups rolled oats and mix well.
Measure out…level tablespoons of dough on Sprycoated baking sheets, leaving a little space between. Press with fork.
Bake…in moderate oven (350°F.) 12-15 minutes. Cool about 2 minutes before removing cookies from baking sheets. Makes 5 1/2 dozen.
LOLLIPOPS. Let gay Macaroon Lollipops be the star of the youngsters’ Valentine party! Cap them with sparkling cellophane and tie with perky red bows.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons. Measure out level tablespoons of dough on Sprycoated baking sheets, leaving a little space between…For lollipop sticks, use 4″ lengths of paper drinking straws, plastic straws, or wooden skewers. Insert one in each mound of dough with straws parallel with sheet…For sparkling color on the lollipops, sprinkle dough with bits of finely cut gumdrops…Bake in moderate oven (350°F.) 12-15 minutes…Cool about 2 minutes before removing the cookies from the baking sheets…Yield: 5 1/2 dozen. To “dress-up” the lollipops for a party, cut cellophane in 6″ x 9″ pieces and “gather” a piece around each cookie. Tie cellophane to straw with narrow ribbon, making a perky little bow. A pretty assortment of lollipops can be made using different colors of cellophane and harmonizing ribbons.
BANANA NUTTIES. A Spring delight with fresh-banana flavor and the crunch-crunch of walnuts. Serve them St. Patrick’s Day with lime sherbet and a flourish o’ green.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Omit granulated sugar and use 2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed. Increase walnuts to 1 cup. Add 1 cup mashed ripe bananas with the nuts…Increase cinnamon to 1 teaspoon and add 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg…Shape and bake as directed, only this dough is softer and need not be pressed with fork before baking…Yield: 6 1/2 dozen.
SCOTTISH COOKIE-ROONS. As welcome as the soft spring showers are these bonnie macaroons that intermingle a bevy of sprightly flavors and textures: dates, raisins, toasted oats.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons, adding 1/3 cup chopped dates and 1/3 cup chopped raisins with the nuts…Shape and bake as directed…Yield: 5 1/2 dozen. Or use 1/3 cup each chopped dates, figs, nuts, and shredded coconut.
CRUNCHY COCO-ROONS. For Maytime parties, try these macaroons enhanced with coconut and a fillip of orange and almond extracts. Delectable with strawberry ice cream!
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Omit vanilla, cinnamon, and nuts…Add 1/4 teaspoon orange extract and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract in first step…Add 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut to Spry-sugar mixture before adding flour…Shape and bake as directed…Yield: 5 1/2 dozen.
SUGAR-CRISP TEA MACAROONS. This dainty tidbit is perfect refreshment for bridal showers and wedding receptions. A petite cookie with sugary sparkle and enchanting flavor!
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Omit cinnamon…Use 1/2 teaspoon almond extract instead of vanilla…Add 1 cup coconut with nuts. Shape the dough in small 3/4″ balls…Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place on Sprycoated baking sheets…Bake in moderate oven (350°F.) 12 minutes, or until a very delicate brown. (Be careful not to overbake.) Cool about 2 minutes before removing cookies from baking sheets…Yield: 10-11 dozen.
PRALINE MACAROONS. These pecan “yum-yums” are a top-notch sweet for picnics. Or serve them with sugared berries or chilled melon balls at garden suppers.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Omit granulated sugar and use 2 cups dark brown sugar, firmly packed…Use 3/4 teaspoon vanilla…Omit cinnamon…Omit walnuts and use 1 cup chopped pecans…Shape and bake as directed…Yield: 5 1/2 dozen…For a tempting variation of Praline Macaroons, substitute 1 cup chopped black walnuts for pecans. Or make Coconut Praline Macaroons by using light brown sugar instead of dark and substituting 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut for 1 cup pecans.
PEANUT MACAROONS. On a sweltering afternoon, pass cool-off glasses of minted fruit juice or iced tea with a plateful of these crisp peanut delights. Or serve them in the cool of the evening with dishes of ice cream or sherbet. These crunchy snaps are favorites with the youngsters, too. Pack a generous box and tuck it into the picnic hamper.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Add 1 tablespoon milk in first mixing step…Use 1 cup chopped blanched salted peanuts instead of walnuts…Omit cinnamon…Yield 5 1/2 dozen. Use all brown sugar, if desired.
SPICY APPLE “MACS”. Pack a few of these wholesome “Macs” in those go-to-school lunches. The youngsters will love their fresh-apple flavor and spicy zip.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Omit the granulated sugar and use 2 cups light or dark brown sugar, firmly packed…Add 1 cup unpared ground or finely chopped raw apples with the nuts…Increase the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon and add 1 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon cloves…Shape and bake as directed, only this dough is softer and need not be pressed with fork before baking…Yield: 6 1/2 dozen fruity, spicy treats.
ORANGE ‘N’ DATE MACAROONS. Serve these “tempters” to the Halloween crowd along with apples, nuts, and cider…or with twin scoops of orange ice and chocolate ice cream.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Omit vanilla and cinnamon…Add 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange rind, 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind, and 1 tablespoon orange juice in first mixing step…Add 3/4 cup chopped dates with the nuts…Shape and bake as directed…Yield: 5 1/2 dozen.
CINNAMON SUGAR PLUMS. Get the holidays off to a good start by filling the cookie jar with these spicy, sugar-crusted goodies. Wonderful Thanksgiving nibbles after the big feast!
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Add 1 tablespoon coffee beverage, grape juice, or milk in first mixing step…Add 3/4 cup chopped raisins with the nuts…Increase cinnamon to 2 teaspoons and add 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon allspice. Shape the dough in 1 1/4″ balls and roll each ball in a mixture of 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon…Place balls on Sprycoated baking sheets…Bake in moderate oven (350°F.) 12-15 minutes. (Be careful not to overbake.)…Cool about 2 minutes before removing cookies from baking sheets…Yield: 5 1/2 dozen spicy, crisp cookies.
HOLIDAY DELIGHTS. Gift suggestion for a friend: pack a tin of these “candied fruities,” wrap them gaily, and tuck in your hand-written copy of the recipe.
Use recipe for Lever House Macaroons as follows: Use 3/4 teaspoon almond extract instead of vanilla and 1/2 cup unblanched, chopped toasted almonds instead of walnuts…Add 1/2 cup chopped candied cherries and 1/4 cup chopped candied citron…Shape and bake as directed…Yield: 5 1/2 dozen. Or use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 3/4 cup each chopped filberts and mixed candied fruits and peels instead of toasted almonds, candied cherries, and citron.