Monday, March 8, 2010

Ask your child about the special visitor that came to class today – Mr. Johnny Clem! Mr. Clem was a nine-year-old drummer boy for the Union during the Civil War. The students were able to ask him a series of questions about his life during the Civil War and he even brought two special treats to share with the class! The first “treat” he brought was hardtack, a hard, flat, cracker/biscuit that soldiers ate during the Civil War. The other treat was apple cake, a special treat that the young soldier’s mother would make for him. Here are the recipes for these two treats so you can try them at home!
Hardtack:
4 cups flour
4 teaspoons salt
2 cups water

Mix the flour and salt together. Add enough water to wet the mixture (may not need all 2 cups). Roll out the mixture on a pan and bake at 300 degrees until hardened.
Apple Cake:
1 cup brown sugar            1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup white sugar              1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs                               1 cup milk
2 ½ cups flour                   2 cups apples, chopped to small pieces
½ cup butter/margarine      1 teaspoon vanilla
Grease and flour a 13”x9” pan (or cupcake pans). Cream the sugars and butter. Add eggs. Mix dry ingredients and add with milk. Add apples and vanilla. Pour in pan and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon (chopped walnuts are optional). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.