
A historical bread from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). The same can be made of sweet milk, using three teaspoonfuls of baking powder instead of soda, and if you use sweet milk, put in no shortening. Excellent. Muffins of all kinds should only be cut just around the edge, then pulled open with the fingers.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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to the egg add the milk, then the sugar and salt, then the Graham flour (with the soda mixed in), together with the lard or butter
make a stiff batter, so that it will drop, not pour, from the spoon
Have the gem-pans very hot, fill and bake fifteen minutes in a hot oven
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
The soda reacts with acidic sour milk to create carbon dioxide bubbles that leaven the batter, while the whole grain graham flour provides structure and nutty flavor. Preheating the gem pans creates immediate steam when the batter hits the hot metal, producing a crisp exterior crust. The fat (lard or butter) tenderizes the crumb by coating flour proteins and preventing excessive gluten development, while the eggs provide additional leavening and binding power.
These gems are best served fresh from the oven. The dry ingredients (graham flour, soda, salt, and sugar) can be combined up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container. Mix with wet ingredients just before baking for optimal rise.
Store cooled gems in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore the crisp exterior. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature and refresh in a warm oven.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
These gems are best served fresh from the oven. The dry ingredients (graham flour, soda, salt, and sugar) can be combined up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container. Mix with wet ingredients just before baking for optimal rise.
Store cooled gems in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore the crisp exterior. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature and refresh in a warm oven.