Did you know that one of St. Hildegard cookie recipes continues to be popular today?
In the 12th century, she shared a basic recipe for biscuits or cookies that are commonly called Hildegardplätzchen (Hildegard’s Cookies). Today they are often referred to as Cookies of Joy and are a yummy treat that I enjoy in the middle of winter. St. Hildegard shared that the spice mixture of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in the cookies would help to expand your sense of smell, taste and touch while also increasing mental clarity, lifting any heaviness in the heart and bringing you a sense of joy and cheerfulness.
St. Hildegard wrote in Physica in 1153AD, “Take some nutmeg and an equal weight of cinnamon and a bit of cloves and pulverize them. Then make small cakes with this and fine whole wheat flour and water. Eat them often. It will calm all bitterness of the heart and mind, open your heart and impaired senses and make your mind cheerful. It purifies your senses and diminishes all harmful humors in you. It gives good liquid to your blood, and makes you strong.”
St. Hildegard recognized the health benefits of many herbs and spices even in her time. Today we know more about how these three spices are beneficial to our health. Nutmeg is known to improve blood circulation, ease muscular and joint pain and support focus and concentration. Cinnamon is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial and supports brain health. It also regulates blood sugar and stabilizes metabolism. Cloves are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are known to be energizing, strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation and aid in digestion.
So, join me in enjoying Joy Cookies this winter allowing your senses to be awakened and your health supported as you savor the spiciness in every bite.
Here’s the recipe for St. Hildegard’s Joy Cookies that I use, based on her original ingredients but adapted to our modern times. Enjoy the sweet aroma that arises in your kitchen while you bake and savor the taste of this delicious cookie.
St. Hildegard’s Joy Cookies
Ingredients
¾ cups butter
1 1/2 c. coconut sugar
1 egg, beaten
¼ teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 cups spelt flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
optional: 1 cup chopped almonds
- Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the egg and mix well.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to the creamed mixture.
- Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
- Remove, roll out on a floured surface and cut with cookie cutters.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
Interested in discovering more about the wisdom that St. Hildegard shared long ago that still applies today, check out my offering Healing with Hildegard here.
