History Humor Olson Family Cookbook admin 5 years agoFebruary 3, 2022

Family Names and recipes from the Olson Family Cookbook, Sarius North Dakota, 1920’s and 30’s Brown Cookies, Pancakes & Sally Ann’s Cookies

Sarius North Dakota Olson Family

Front of book has Mrs. K. Olson in a lovely Gothic Script and August 1925. There is a signature of J.L. Olson, E. M. Olson, Mrs. Knute Olson, Sarius North Dakota Box 363, N. Emelie Olson January 1932. On another page; May 26, 1932 Mrs. Knute Olson Sauris, North Dakota, and Knute Olson.

This family has a wonderful sense of humor, which shows up all through this cookbook. There are several commentaries in it, and one that is particularly good is an Ode to the Stove.

This recipe for Brown Cookies, someone added to the directions; “What, No Flour!” Very often in old recipes of Family books like this, it is assumed you would know to add flour to the recipe, no need to mention it. But someone who used this book afterward was just being a smartass.

With the commentaries there is usually a recipe associated, so I found in the book the recipes mentioned and added them to the posting of the comments.

I think the Family is Swedish or Norwegian; (there is a recipe for Norwegian Cookies); or Possibly Dutch. there are also many “phrases” in a language that I do not know what it is. Such as; Il Fait du Vent. With a recipe for Corn Oysters. (In the translation programs it seems this is Norwegian)

This recipe sounds like Mamma’s, or someone who has been making them for so long you just do it without thinking. I love the comment; “take the aluminum kettle that hangs behind the stove.”

Names mentioned in the cookbook and the recipes they contributed to it.

The first recipe in the book is Sally Anns; it is for a sugar cookie with nuts and cinnamon; I am wondering if it from the person who gave the recipe or if that is the name of the cookies. There are two recipes for these cookies.

Sally Ann’s

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter (1 cup lard, this is in pencil and was added later so I don’t know if it should be added or not. I kind of think it means either butter or lard, not both)

1 cup flour

1 teaspoonful soda

3 eggs beaten very stiff

1 cup nut meats

4 ½ cups flour

1 teaspoonful cinnamon

1 teaspoonful vanilla

Mix in order given and roll in loaf 1 ½ “ x 3”. Let it stand overnight. Cut in slices and bake.

Christine M. Olson July 20, 1925 – Cocoa, Aug 26, 1925 Corn Oysters, August 27, 1925 Cabbage and Apple Salad, September 2nd, 1925 Three Egg Angel Cake, Oct. 6, 1931 Fruit Salad Dressing,

M. Christine Olson; September 2nd ’25 Nut Wafer Cookies,

CMO – Lemon Pie, October 8, 1931 Lemon Pie & Graham Cracker Crust,

JCO – Dough Cake,

(Comment in book; recipe is from Mrs. Otto Huslegaard from Stewartville, Minn. Dough Cake February 3rd, 1933; also, 20degrees below zero.)

E.N.O. – 9-31-25 Kjodpudding med pilorter, 9-2-25 Royal Cream Loaf Cake, April 2, 1926 Fruit Cake, 11-8-28 A Good Economical Layer Cake,

E.N. Olson 12-16-30 Reliable White Cookies,

Emelie N. Olson – Fruit Cake,

TMO Jan 11 1926 Chocolate Cake,

Mrs. ODO or OLO – May 26, 1932 Good Rocks,

Mrs. Bellinger – September 1926 Piccalilli,

Escher Moen – Brown Sugar Cookies,

Alice Rusgaard – 8-6-36 Recipe For Yeast,