There is nothing more synonymous than Midwinter and the new year than the Indian Cookie.
Its a Haudenosaunee tradition to give out these cookies to your family on the new year. Old folks say that these were made into little doll shaped cookies and given out to your fathers relatives at the New Year aka NuYah when visiting.
Nowadays we just whip up a batch when we want to get fed! Happy NuYah Kahonwe!
- 1 cup butter or lard, softened
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 egg, well-beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 4 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp nutmeg
In a large bowl mix together the butter, sugar, and egg.
In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together.
Add dry ingredients to butter mixture 1/2 cup at a time alternating with buttermilk.
Add a little flour to make the dough workable. Transfer to a floured surface and knead a little until dough is no longer sticky. Roll dough to about 1/2 inch thick and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
NOTE: You can add raisins if you want to but usually everybody complains when you do this. I saw someone once add chocolate chips which would be delicious. Just don’t add weird things like cranberries or pecans because that is too extra for the NuYah Indian Cookie.
