The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FOR AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER, THE WOMEN AT OUR HOUSE HAVE
MADE TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS COOKIES CALLED PIERNICKI. MY
NON-POLISH MOTHER LEARNED THE RECIPE FROM HER POLISH MOTHER-IN-LAW
WHEN MY AUNT DID NOT SHOW AN INTEREST IN CARRYING OUT THE
TRADITION OF MAKING THE SWEET AND SPICY COOKIES. EACH FAMILY'S
RECIPE IS DIFFERENT AND A CAREFULLY KEPT SECRET. PIERNICKI IS SO
SPECIAL THAT EATING THE DOUGH OR THE FINISHED COOKIE ENHANCES
READING COMPREHENSION! THE COOKIES ARE MADE IN LATE NOVEMBER,
USUALLY DURING THE THANKSGIVING BREAK FROM SCHOOL, WHICH IS JUST
IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING AND FOR STUDYING FOR FINAL EXAMS.

Submitter comment: OUR PIERNICKI HAS BECOME AN INSTITUTION. OUR RELATIVES LOOK
FORWARD TO RECEIVING THEIR GIFT OF COOKIES EVERY YEAR. BECAUSE
THE RECIPE IS A SECRET, IF IT IS FOUND IN A COOKBOOK, IT HAS BEEN
ALTERED BY THE SUBMITTER SO THAT HER COOKIES WILL BE BETTER THAN
SOMEONE WHO FOLLOWS THE BOOK RECIPE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: 00001970S