"Rocks" by President Chester Arthur

Some recipe names just jump out at you. This one certainly did. I love a presidential recipe more than any other because I’m obsessed with presidents. I used to have a book about presidents when I was 7 that I read until the pages were so worn they looked like lint. My 30th birthday was presidentially themed. Is it because my birthday falls on February 19th? Maybe. Or maybe it’s because it’s oddly comforting to me to know that the most powerful men (so far) in the world have all been complete lunatics, be it through policy or the dinner table: President Chester Arthur’s Rocks.

Chef Chester Arthur

Republican President from New York

As always, I followed the recipe word for word from the “most elegant of all presidents” according to Gore Vidal, no alterations:

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup of butter

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1.5 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1.25 tbsp hot water

1 cup dates, finely chopped

1 cup of nuts of choice, chopped

1 cup raisins

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar and add eggs one at a time.

Did you know Chester Arthur was nicknamed “Dude President?”

2) Beat until light and fluffy.

3) In a separate bowl, stir in flour, cloves, and cinnamon.

These spices are like the ultimate mirepoix for all desserts from the U.S. between 1650 and 1945.

4) Add flour to butter and egg mixture, beating lightly.

5) Dissolve baking powder in hot water, add to dough, and mix well.

6) Add in dates, nuts and raisins, mixing well.

The dates slowed down my stand mixer to a crawl. These really are rocks.

7) Drop onto greased baking sheet by teaspoonfuls. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Cool. Makes several dozen.

Voila! If you want to actually watch me attempt to eat it, go to the CwC Instagram or TikTok. About three dozen, that’s how many this recipe makes. I immediately jarred up a half-dozen to bring to friends, whose reactions were much like mine. Strangely, these are not hard. I expected them to be…rocky. Or at least very chewy, but they come apart with ease like a soft cookie. Fragrant mulling spices mixed with raisins = a Christmas cookie vibe. Another mis-titled recipe, in my opinion. I think I may have to do a whole post or IG series on alt titles for these recipes…

Verdict:

A flavor profile I’m getting very used to. Similar to Sour Cream Raisin Pie and Depression Cake, they’re not bad, they’re just…they feel a little desperate. And a little too clove-y.