Joe Froggers are 200-year-old New England cookie royalty, and even if the name isn’t a familiar one to you, spend a little time here and before long you’ll be reaching for the molasses so you never have to be without them again.
Joe Froggers — large, chewy, and sweetened with molasses. Photo Credit: Aimee Seavey
The cookies originated in Marblehead, Massachusetts, in the late 18th century, where a couple known as Aunt Crease and Old Black Joe Brown maintained a pond-side tavern. Inside, they served spirits and enormous salad-plate sized cookies flavored with molasses, rum, and spices, nicknamed “Joe’s Froggers” as an ode to the large frogs living in the pond. Because the molasses and rum helped them stay soft and chewy for a long time, they were extremely popular not only with local residents, but with sailors heading out to sea.
The popularity continues today. Unlike ultra-crispy gingersnaps, Joe Frogger cookies have a lightly crisp edge and a soft, chewy center. Most of today’s Joe Froggers run a lot smaller than their colonial counterparts, but if you want the real deal you can swap out your 2-inch cookie cutter for the mouth of a large coffee can.
This is a sticky dough, so I also opted to make the cookies by breaking off pieces of dough, rolling them into balls, then pressing them down with the bottom of a drinking glass before baking, rather than rolling out the dough and using a cookie cutter.
Have a glass of milk ready and be willing to share — Yankee staffers found it hard to eat just one!
Aimee Tucker is Yankee’s senior digital editor. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.
These sounds awesome. I love molasses in cookies – it makes them so soft and chewy. I’ve never heard of Joe Froggers, but I might just have to try them.
I have this story on the Joe Frogger recipe that my mother gave me…that was 70 years ago. They have been made every Christmas since then and are a big hit in our family.
There was a great restaurant in Lynnfield called “The Ship”. It was on 1A. They used to sell Joe Froggers at the front desk. The story was on the wrapper. I loved them then and love them now.
My Mom and I have been making these a lot lately. She got the recipe from a woman in her 90’s back in the 1980’s. We hadn’t made them for years until 2017. We don’t use rum though, and they are still yummy!
It’s a wonderful old New England/ Marblehead Massachusetts cookie that dates back a couple hundred years. If you don’t like them, please just go to the market and purchase a box of Cracker Jack.
This recipe has been a family favorite since I first saw it on page 158 of the August, 1977 issue of Yankee, and I still have the original copy. It was printed as part of the column, “Quips, Quotes & Queries.” A very tasty, spicy and always soft cookie.
I have been looking for years for the original recipe I first saw in 1977 when I was a young bride living in a tiny trailer with no running water or plumbing. Things have improved since then but I would love a copy of the ORIGINAL RECIPE published in that 1977 issue of Yankee magazine. At least I know which issue – thank you so much.
We grew up in Sturbridge, MA. My dad was the G.M. of the Public House, and we ran wild through O.S.V. These were often used as incentives by mom to get us to finish our chores or behave in public. We LOVED Joe Froggers! (Still do!)
These sounds awesome. I love molasses in cookies – it makes them so soft and chewy. I’ve never heard of Joe Froggers, but I might just have to try them.
I have this story on the Joe Frogger recipe that my mother gave me…that was 70 years ago. They have been made every Christmas since then and are a big hit in our family.
There was a great restaurant in Lynnfield called “The Ship”. It was on 1A. They used to sell Joe Froggers at the front desk. The story was on the wrapper. I loved them then and love them now.
Joe Froggers just earned a mention in my New England-based novel thanks to this article. With “wicked pissah” gratitude. Godspeed.
I grew up in PA eating these cookies! My father used to make them. Now I have the recipe again – the one Dad used is long gone. Thanks!!
My Mom and I have been making these a lot lately. She got the recipe from a woman in her 90’s back in the 1980’s. We hadn’t made them for years until 2017. We don’t use rum though, and they are still yummy!
I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM
It’s a wonderful old New England/ Marblehead Massachusetts cookie that dates back a couple hundred years. If you don’t like them, please just go to the market and purchase a box of Cracker Jack.
This recipe has been a family favorite since I first saw it on page 158 of the August, 1977 issue of Yankee, and I still have the original copy. It was printed as part of the column, “Quips, Quotes & Queries.” A very tasty, spicy and always soft cookie.
Where can I buy these cookies
I have been looking for years for the original recipe I first saw in 1977 when I was a young bride living in a tiny trailer with no running water or plumbing. Things have improved since then but I would love a copy of the ORIGINAL RECIPE published in that 1977 issue of Yankee magazine. At least I know which issue – thank you so much.
These are my favorite cookies and I associate them with Mystic Seaport, CT
A charming and historic story behind a delicious recipe…leave it to New England Today Food/Yankee…now to find or make these…in Philly!
I have not yet made these cookies, but plan to make them. Molasses cookies is one of my favorite and this version sounds delicious.
We grew up in Sturbridge, MA. My dad was the G.M. of the Public House, and we ran wild through O.S.V. These were often used as incentives by mom to get us to finish our chores or behave in public. We LOVED Joe Froggers! (Still do!)