Soft Gingerbread Recipe

Note: Saleratus is baking soda. The introductory remarks suggest sticking a broom straw in the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, it’s done. If it has bread sticking on it, it needs more time to bake.

Broom straw/toothpick more or less interchangeable I suppose. The toothpick industry sure saw a niche!

More Fun Discoveries

• Fortified Egg-Nog ~1886
• Chocolate Caramels ~1897
• Mulled Wine ~ 1876

Source: Mrs. Crowen’s American Lady’s Cookery Book, 1866.