Thursday, October 10, 2013

Dream Jumbles


From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...While you probably called them by a different name, I suspect that most of you have sampled these cookies before. When I was a child, a cookie very similar to this one was served during the Christmas holidays. We called the cookies "rocks" because of their craggy appearance. They were jam-packed with fruit and nuts, and, if I recall correctly, they were also lightly spiced with cinnamon and just a hint of nutmeg. When I saw these cookies in Midwest Living they triggered memories of the nicest sort, but I was a bit taken back by the name they were given. I set off to do some research that might explain why my "rocks" were being called jumbles. Apparently, jumbles can be traced back to the 14th century in the Middle East. They were brought to Europe by the Moors who twisted the them into knots and rings, so pieces of the cookies could be broken off to feed hungry travelers. Over time, the cookies lost their elaborate shape and became lumps of baked dough. Martha Washington had a recipe for jumbles and the cookie was popular in colonial America. In one form or another, the cookie has remained popular for centuries. Now, Martha and her friends had no access to chocolate chips, but they had dried fruit and nuts aplently and their jumbles were very similar to the ones we make today. The recipe to make these gems is a study in simplicity and the cookies themselves are simply delicious. I hope you will give this recipe a try. You will not regret it. Here is how the cookies are made.

Dream Jumbles...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Midwest Living Magazine

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup raisins
1 cup large semisweet chocolate pieces
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
3/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2) In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt and beat until well combined. Beat in egg and vanilla.
3) Beat in flour. Use a wooden spoon to fold in raisins, chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4) Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove cookies from cookie sheet and cool on wire racks. Makes about 36 cookies.

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15 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

These are gorgeous! And making my mouth water!

decocinasytacones said...

Gmorning to you!!, I know you are sleeping for sure...I love these cookies, so rustic and so good. Let´s celebrate, 27 years ago I was giving birth to my sweet girl.
Love
Marialuisa

Lynn said...

Sounds like a dough that would freeze well too! Always nice to have something ready to bake at a moments notice:@)

Susan Lindquist said...

How interesting, Mary! I have recipe for Chocolate Jumbles that has come down through the family from my great-aunt and grandmother, but they are a rolled cookie - a moderately firm dough ... we cut them in donut shapes and ice them with a white icing that firms up so they can be stored in the cookie jar ...grandma always said they were cut like donuts so that they could be stacked on a dowel and sold at market individually or in stacks... isn't it funny how recipes evolve over time? The name remains the same, but the subtle differences in preparation get established.

Kim said...

These cookies looks perfect! With nuts and chocolate, yum!

Unknown said...

These look crisp and melt in your mouth delicious!

Emily said...

Hi Mary! These jumbles look amazing. I bet my boyfriend's kids would love these... I will definitely bookmark them to make some weekend when they come over. Perfect for holidays, or just a rainy day! :)

Unknown said...

When I was a kid my grandma made similar cookies, but I always stayed away from them because they had nuts! I'm soooooo glad I have grown out of that little quark.. I'd hate to pass these up now :)

Barbara said...

Good morning, Mary!
I remember these...we used to throw raisins in them too. Mother called them kitchen sink cookies.

~~louise~~ said...

I always got a kick out of the assortment of Jumble recipes I would happen upon while reading old cookbooks, Mary. These sure are a keeper.

Thank you so much for sharing a taste of the history and of course that delicious looking recipe.

Beverly said...

Did you save one for me? I just poured the coffee.

Top Cuisine avec Lavi said...

Hi Mary! This cookies looks amazing! Great recipe!

David said...

Mary, These dream jumble cookies are a flavor 'bomb'. They sound like they'd awaken all of our taste buds! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Barbara F. said...

I call them "Delicious"! xo

Tricia @ Saving room for dessert said...

I love the lumpiness :) and have seen them called rock cookies. So pretty!

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