Sarah Wassberg Johnson

Sarah Wassberg Johnson has an MA in Public History from the University at Albany and has been working in history interpretation and education professionally since 2007. Also known as The Food Historian, she has been writing, podcasting, and lecturing on American food since 2015.
Vintage Pinwheel Cookies
Chocolate and vanilla, slice and bake, easy and elegant — these cookies have it all!
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
Honey Cookies with Lemon and Nutmeg
In an era of rationing, honey stood in for sugar and shortening took the place of butter in this simple, delicious cookie.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
The Original Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Way back in the 2000s, pastry chef Claudia Fleming combined a cookie and a brownie. The rest is history.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
Classic 1920s Orange Drop Cookies
They were easy, elegant, and packed with the of-the-moment flavor: orange.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
Classic Spritz Cookies
The simple spritz is all about the butter.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
The Original Peanut Butter Blossoms
The enduring popularity of Peanut Butter Blossoms proves that winning isn't everything.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
Classic Moravian Christmas Cookies
The popularity of the simple, crisp cookies flavored with molasses and spices reflected a growing interest in historic foodways.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
Classic 1980s Seven-Layer Bars
Seven-layer bars were, like, totally radical.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
Simple Espresso Shortbread
These cookies are best eaten while binge-watching Friends.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021
Classic Salted Caramel Thumbprints
Name a better combo. We'll wait.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson
Dec 3, 2021