A Recipe Lost in Wartime, Recovered From Memory (2024)

Heirloom Recipes

by: creamtea

January30,2017

21Comments

21Comments

Growing up, it sometimes seemed as if my sisters and I were the only kids around without a grandma. Grandmothers were everywhere: visiting our friends at holiday time, taking children to movies, baking cookies for them. Not us.

Sossie Beile's Little Cherry Crumb Bars

In my only picture of our grandmother, my mother—a wide-eyed little girl, her hair plaited in two neat, thick little braids, wearing her best dress and a hand-crocheted collar—sits beside her. My grandmother's soft brown eyes have a faraway look in them.

My mother was about seven when she and Grampa lost her: They were living in a forced-labor camp under Nazi occupation when she became ill. She was loved and missed by all who knew her.

I grew up eating these buttery, crumbly bars, never suspecting their origin. When I called my mother for the recipe, and to double-check its source (Betty Crocker? her best friend?), I was surprised and moved to learn that it was my grandmother's.

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But my mother never knew the measurements or amounts. She told me that she watched her mother make them time and again as a very little girl, perhaps helping mix the crumbly dough. The recipe was not written down; all was lost in wartime.

Sossie Beile's Little Cherry Crumb Bars

And it wasn't until after she and Grampa finally escaped and came to this country to start a new life, and my mother married and had a family, that she reconstructed the recipe from her childhood memory. This was how she was able to keep the memory of her mother alive and pass it down to us.

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Top Comment:

“Was that your grandmother’s first name, or is it a nickname or pet name of some kind? It’s not common. “Beile” or Bayla or alternate spellings are well known, but I have not seen Sossie before. Do you know anything more about it?Thank you for this delightful and simple treat. A keeper. ”

— Kathy I.

Comment

I'm so happy to have just one "handed-down" recipe to share it here. I recently found out that it's not only me who continues to make these cherry bars: My sisters have also continued to bake this treat for their own children. Though spread across the globe, Beile's great-grandchildren continue to enjoy this sweet little cookie.

Sossie Beile's Little Cherry Crumb Bars View Recipe

Ingredients

For the filling:

3/4 cup Morello (sour) cherry preserves (from red -- not black -- cherries), and more as needed
1/2 to 1 teaspoons almond extract
3/4 cup Morello (sour) cherry preserves (from red -- not black -- cherries), and more as needed
1/2 to 1 teaspoons almond extract

For the crumble:

butter for greasing the pan
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 dash salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and chilled
1 large egg, beaten
butter for greasing the pan
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 dash salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and chilled
1 large egg, beaten

Tags:

  • Dessert
  • Bake
  • What to Cook
  • Cookie

Written by: creamtea

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21 Comments

Nancy January 4, 2021

Thank you for both the fine article and the recovered cookie recipe. Sour cherries are only in season a short time here (southern Ontario), so I sometimes make jam to have the flavor later on. Will think of you and these cookies when the season comes round.

Kathy I. January 3, 2021

Thank you for the recipe and the touching story. I was looking for a way to use a jar of Trader Joe’s cherry preserves that had been sitting in my pantry too long and I’m glad I found your page. They are delicious and do hold their shape well when cut. I used my stand mixer to cut in the butter and it was fine.

I am curious about the “Sossie” name. Was that your grandmother’s first name, or is it a nickname or pet name of some kind? It’s not common. “Beile” or Bayla or alternate spellings are well known, but I have not seen Sossie before. Do you know anything more about it?

Thank you for this delightful and simple treat. A keeper.

creamtea January 4, 2021

Hi Kathy:
Glad you tried and liked our recipe!
Beile, Bella, Bayla is a common name. Sossie is less so (might be the Polish spelling or a transliteration) but I have seen it. Pronounced Zoshe, or maybe Zoshya. Not sure if it is a nickname for Shoshana and even my mother is not sure. It would be a Yiddish version of her name in any case.

Kathy I. January 4, 2021

Thank you so much for this quick reply. Now I am wondering if someone I know in our congregation, whose given name is Susie (NOT Sue or Susan or any other variant), might have been named for a Sossie. I'll ask her. Be well. We are so enjoying the bars!

healthierkitchen February 13, 2017

thank you for sharing this!

MaMaZu February 6, 2017

My mother made a very similar recipe with whatever preserves were in hand. I remember all of my older brothers friends coming over whenever they heard a batch was in the oven.

L B. February 5, 2017

Thank you for sharing the recipe and the photo, both so very precious. I will love making these cookies and remembering your Grandmother. I can see by her gentle face and eyes why she was loved by all.

creamtea February 5, 2017

Thank you for your note, I hope you enjoy them!

creamtea February 5, 2017

(and thank you, too, for your kind thoughts)

Leslye D. February 5, 2017

Sour cherries and preserves can be found at Greek markets, as well as other Mediterranean ethnic food shops.

creamtea February 5, 2017

Yes! also Eastern European ethnic shops! (note that there is a product of sour cherries in syrup: its a different item, and too fluid)

ShaunaF February 5, 2017

Thank you for sharing the recipe, but especially sharing your story of your dear grandmother.

creamtea February 5, 2017

:)

Smaug January 31, 2017

In my experience, sour cherry preserves are not easy to find; my only source in my immediate area is CVS pharmacy, of all places, which carries "Casa Giulia" brand. They have some other somewhat unusual types, too.

Bevi January 31, 2017

Divina Sour Cherry Preserves through Thrive Market.

creamtea January 31, 2017

That's funny that you can get them at CVS. We get them at Trader Joe's or Fairway but they are seasonal and now they are not available. When I do see them I grab a couple jars. My sister uses raspberry preserves.

Smaug January 31, 2017

Never heard of "Divina" brand, but i haven't really searched around. I do buy jam at TJ's- never saw sour cherry, though. Funny, sour cherries are actually in some ways easier to grow than other types (they don't need a pollinator for one thing), and have some real health advantages- as well as making the best pies- but you almost never see them for sale. I understand they're almost all grown in Wisconsin, maybe you can find them there.

Simone January 30, 2017

These look exactly like Hindbærsnitter! A traditional Danish treat, made with raspberry jam as oppose to cherry. Where was your Grandma from?

creamtea January 30, 2017

Curiously enough my niece mentioned that my sis who lives abroad makes them with raspberry. Though we hail from what was formerly called Galicia in Ukraine.

Bevi January 30, 2017

I have cherry preserves laced with cardamom that I made this past summer. I can't wait to make these! Thanks for a lovely recipe and a touching story.

creamtea January 30, 2017

Wow, Bevi!! Let me know how they come out.

A Recipe Lost in Wartime, Recovered From Memory (2024)

FAQs

What did the stamps mean in war ration Book 4? ›

WAR RATION BOOK FOUR

The book had four colored stamps. Green and blue stamps were used for processed foods such as canned and bottled fruits, juice, vegetables, soup, baby food, frozen food, spreads and dried foods. Red stamps continued to be used for meat. Black "spare" stamps were set up for future changes.

What food did the US ration in WW2? ›

Americans used their ration cards and stamps to take their meager share of household staples including meat, dairy, coffee, dried fruits, jams, jellies, lard, shortening, and oils. Americans learned, as they did during the Great Depression, to do without.

What was the ration book in World War 2? ›

Every person in the country, including children, received a ration book and each home had to register with a local butcher, grocer and milkman who had to ensure they had enough food for their customers. The ration books contained coupons which had to be presented when items were bought.

What did they eat for dessert in WWII? ›

Popular Sweets During WWII
  • Lemon Sherberts date back way back into the early 19th century and so were already a firm favourite by the mid 20th.
  • Flying Saucers are another old favourite. ...
  • Barley Sugars are even older. ...
  • Cola Cubes or kola cubes are another classic hard sweet which originated in Britain.
Sep 20, 2020

Are war ration stamps worth anything? ›

The overall condition of the booklet as well as the stamps have the biggest impact on the resale value, with a large number of these available on the market. With 100+ stamps and in very good condition your 1940's era War Ration Book would have a fair market or resale value of between 25-50 dollars.

What did the stamps mean in the war ration book? ›

Point stamps to buy these ration goods are in War Ration Book Two. This book contains blue and red stamps. Blue stamps are to be used for canned fruits, vegetables, soups, juices, and other processed foods. Red stamps will be used for meat.

What's the difference between k-rations and c-rations? ›

Besides C-Rations, K-Rations were also issued during World War II, but in a more limited number. These were distributed for missions of short duration, such as paratroopers participating in airborne operations. K-Rations were lighter than C-Rations, and three meals a day netted only 2,830 calories.

What is the C in C rations? ›

Civil War soldiers carried a water-and-flour biscuit called hardtack, and they constantly suffered scurvy. The Army introduced the C ration, or combat ration, in 1938. At first, a day's portion added almost six pounds to soldiers' packs.

Are C rations still available? ›

These MCI rations were used until 1978, when they were replaced with the MRE or Meal Ready-to-Eat ration, which is still used today.

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A: Millions of ration books were issued during World War II. They were intended to prevent the hoarding of such goods as coffee, sugar, meat and other items in short supply due to the war. Ration books generally sell in the $5 to $25 range, but unlike savings bonds, you can't cash them in as you wish.

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Fruit and vegetables were never rationed but were often in short supply, especially tomatoes, onions and fruit shipped from overseas. The government encouraged people to grow vegetables in their own gardens and allotments. Many public parks were also used for this purpose.

When did WWII end? ›

On May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered. After the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, and the Second World War came to an end.

What candy was made during WW11? ›

The beloved chocolate candies have been to war and space and back again—and for more than 10 years the red ones went missing in action. M&Ms were first released in 1941, and since then have had an oversized impact on American popular culture.

What candy was given to soldiers in WWII? ›

During World War II the bulk of Hershey's chocolate was exclusively produced for the U.S. military and distributed to troops around the world. Hershey's created the Tropical Bar in 1943 to be distributed to troops in the Pacific Theater. It weighed 4 ounces and was crafted to withstand extreme heat.

What candy was popular during WWII? ›

Flying Saucers are an additional old favorite. Formed like UFOs and also having zesty sherbert they were popular not least since they are light therefore you would obtain even more for your distributions. Barley Sugars are even older.

How did war saving stamps work? ›

Help Him Win by Saving and Serving--Buy War Savings Stamps

could be purchased for 25 cents, and, when enough were accumulated, they could be traded in for war bonds. While the artist of the poster is unknown, the poster was published in 1918 and most likely commissioned by the U.S. government.

What were war stamps in ww1? ›

The war savings stamp (WSS) was a patriotic program used by the United States Treasury to help fund participation in World War I and World War II, and was principally aimed at school-age children. Savings stamps were available in ten cent and twenty-five cent versions, and provided interest.

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During World War I, the United States Treasury issued Liberty Bonds and War Saving Stamps to citizens who were eager to support the war effort. In order to promote the sale of these bonds and stamps, the Treasury Department created the War Savings Organization.

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Besides paying for the enormous costs of war, these measures would remove excess wages and other spendable money in a time of shortages, helping to keep a lid on inflation.

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