Little Women Recipes: 14 Cozy Dishes From the March Sisters’ Christmas, From Hot Turnovers to Pink Ice Cream

Little Women Recipes begin on a snowy Christmas morning, when four sisters wake up to buckwheat cakes and bread, then carry their breakfast to a poor family down the road. Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women at Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts, a home set on a 12 acre apple orchard, and she filled the story with real food. Hannah sends the girls out with hot turnovers to warm their hands, Jo throws a lobster dinner that goes hilariously wrong, Amy longs for pickled limes, and a surprise supper arrives with ice cream, actually two dishes of it, pink and white. The book opens and closes at Christmas, so these cozy dishes from the March family table are perfect for the season ahead, straight from Little Women Recipes. You can read more about the novel on Wikipedia, and if you love cooking from a favorite story, try these Little House recipes too..

Little Women Recipes: Hannah’s Hot Apple Turnovers

On cold mornings, Hannah tucked two hot turnovers into the girls’ hands, and they carried them like muffs to keep their fingers warm on the walk. It is one of the coziest scenes in the book, and it makes these the perfect start to Little Women Recipes. Flaky pastry wraps cinnamon apples, then bakes until golden and crisp. Cut small vents on top so steam escapes and the filling stays inside. Wrap one in a napkin for your own chilly walk, and for more pocket-size pastries, browse these sweet hand pies and turnovers..

You will need: 2 refrigerated or homemade pie crusts, 3 apples peeled and diced, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp butter, 1 large egg beaten, 2 tbsp sugar for sprinkling

How to make it: 1. Cook apples, brown sugar, spices, lemon juice, cornstarch and butter 8 minutes until thick, then cool. 2. Heat oven to 400 F and cut the crust into 5 inch rounds. 3. Spoon 2 tbsp filling onto each, fold and crimp with a fork. 4. Brush with egg, sprinkle with sugar and cut a small vent. 5. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden.

Little Women Recipes: Pink and White Ice Cream

After the girls gave away their breakfast, Mr. Laurence sent a surprise supper, and the sisters could hardly believe it: ice cream, actually two dishes of it, pink and white. That line still makes readers smile. This version gives you both: a simple vanilla custard base, half left white and half swirled with strawberries for pink. Cook the custard to 170 F so the eggs are safe and the texture is silky, then chill it well before churning. For more frosty holiday treats, see these Christmas ice cream desserts. Pink or white, which dish would you reach for first?

You will need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup milk, 3/4 cup sugar, 5 large egg yolks, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup strawberries pureed with 2 tbsp sugar

How to make it: 1. Heat cream, milk and half the sugar until steaming. 2. Whisk yolks with remaining sugar and salt, temper with hot cream and cook to 170 F. 3. Strain, stir in vanilla and chill 4 hours. 4. Churn half plain for white; churn the rest with strawberry puree for pink. 5. Freeze 2 hours until scoopable.

Buckwheat Pancakes for Christmas Morning

The book opens at Christmas, and the girls wake up to buckwheat cakes and bread for breakfast. Then Marmee asks them to carry their breakfast to the poor Hummel family, and they do it gladly. These nutty, tender buckwheat pancakes from Little Women Recipes honor that generous morning. Let the batter rest ten minutes so the buckwheat soaks up the milk and the cakes cook up fluffy. Keep finished pancakes warm in a low oven while you cook the rest. Serve them with butter and syrup, or for a bigger crowd try these Christmas breakfast casseroles. Who would you share your Christmas breakfast with?

You will need: 1 cup buckwheat flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 large egg, 3 tbsp butter melted, butter and maple syrup for serving

How to make it: 1. Whisk buckwheat flour, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 2. Whisk milk, egg and melted butter and stir into the dry mix. 3. Rest batter 10 minutes. 4. Cook 1/4 cup portions on a buttered griddle over medium heat until bubbles form, then flip. 5. Serve warm with butter and syrup.

Blancmange, Done Right

Blancmange is a creamy, softly set vanilla pudding that shows up in one of the book’s funniest kitchen mishaps, when a dinner party goes wrong at every turn. The good news is that it is easy to make well. Cornstarch and milk cook together into a smooth, wobbly dessert that slips out of a mold. Whisk the entire time it cooks, and let it bubble a full minute so it sets firmly. Taste it before chilling, and use sugar, not salt. If you love a smooth, spoonable dessert, try these silky custard desserts. Have you ever had a kitchen disaster you laugh about now?

You will need: 3 cups milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp butter, fresh berries for serving

How to make it: 1. Rinse a 4 cup mold with cold water. 2. Whisk sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan, then whisk in milk. 3. Cook over medium heat, whisking, until it thickens and bubbles for 1 minute. 4. Stir in vanilla and butter and pour into the mold. 5. Chill 4 hours, then unmold and serve with berries.

Strawberries and Cream

One of the funniest lines in the book comes when a dessert of berries is tasted and someone reports, ‘Salt instead of sugar, and the cream is sour.’ Here is the happy ending that scene deserved, Little Women Recipes style. Ripe strawberries, a little sugar and softly whipped cream are pure early summer joy. Slice the berries and sugar them fifteen minutes ahead so they release their sweet juice. Whip the cream only to soft peaks so it stays silky. For more cool and creamy sweets, see these soda fountain ice cream desserts. Would you dare taste the sugar bowl first?

You will need: 1 lb fresh strawberries hulled and sliced, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla

How to make it: 1. Toss strawberries with sugar and rest 15 minutes. 2. Chill a bowl and whisk. 3. Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. 4. Spoon berries and juice into bowls. 5. Top with whipped cream and serve right away.

Little Women Recipes: Old-Fashioned Apple Slump

Louisa May Alcott wrote the book at Orchard House in Concord, a home on a 12 acre apple orchard, so apples deserve a big place on this list. A slump is an old New England dessert where soft dumplings steam on top of bubbling cinnamon apples in a covered pan. Keep the lid on while the dumplings cook so they turn light and fluffy. Serve it warm with cream. Love baking with apples? Explore these old-fashioned apple desserts. Have you ever heard of a slump before?

You will need: 6 apples peeled and sliced, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 3 tbsp cold butter, 1/2 cup milk

How to make it: 1. Simmer apples, brown sugar, spices and water in a covered 10 inch skillet 10 minutes. 2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, cut in butter, and stir in milk. 3. Drop spoonfuls of dough over the bubbling apples. 4. Cover tightly and simmer 15 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid. 5. Serve warm with cream.

Boiled Lobster With Lemon Butter

Jo’s famous dinner party starred lobster and asparagus, and while her version did not go to plan, yours can be a triumph. Lobster is simpler than it looks: plunge it into a big pot of well salted boiling water and cook by weight, about eight minutes for the first pound. The shell turns bright red and the meat turns opaque when it is done. A dish of warm lemon butter is all it needs. It is the fanciest of Little Women Recipes, and if you want more shellfish fun, try a seafood boil at home. Would you be brave enough to host a lobster dinner?

You will need: 2 live lobsters (1 1/4 lb each), 1 tbsp salt per quart of water, 1/2 cup butter, 1 lemon juiced, 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, lemon wedges

How to make it: 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. 2. Add lobsters head first, cover and cook 9 to 10 minutes until bright red and the meat is opaque. 3. Melt butter with lemon juice and parsley. 4. Drain lobsters and rest 5 minutes. 5. Split open the claws and tail and serve with lemon butter and wedges.

Little Women Recipes: Asparagus With Butter, Cooked Properly

Asparagus shared the menu at Jo’s dinner party, and the lesson is that it only needs a few minutes and a little butter to shine. Snap off the woody ends where they break naturally, then cook the spears briefly in salted boiling water until bright green and just tender. Plunge them into ice water if you are making them ahead, so they stay crisp and colorful. Warm them in butter right before serving. As Little Women Recipes go, this one is the simplest win. When you want more ideas, try these easy asparagus recipes. Do you like your asparagus thick or thin?

You will need: 2 lb asparagus trimmed, 2 tbsp salt for the water, 3 tbsp butter, 1/2 tsp lemon zest, salt and black pepper to taste

How to make it: 1. Bring a wide pot of water and salt to a boil. 2. Cook asparagus 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and just tender. 3. Drain, or chill in ice water if making ahead. 4. Melt butter with lemon zest in a skillet. 5. Toss the asparagus in the butter and season to serve.

Homemade Bread Loaves

Bread came with those buckwheat cakes on Christmas morning, and a pair of golden loaves is the heart of any old-fashioned kitchen. This simple pick from Little Women Recipes makes two loaves, one to keep and one to share, just like the March sisters would. Knead until the dough is smooth and bounces back when pressed. Let it rise somewhere warm and draft free. Tap the bottom of a baked loaf; it should sound hollow when done. For festive loaves to bake this season, see these old-fashioned Christmas breads. Who in your family loves the heel of the loaf?

You will need: 2 cups warm water, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 cup butter melted, 2 tsp salt, 5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour

How to make it: 1. Stir yeast and sugar into warm water and rest 5 minutes. 2. Add butter, salt and flour and knead 8 to 10 minutes. 3. Rise covered 1 hour until doubled. 4. Shape two loaves and rise in greased 9×5 inch pans 45 minutes. 5. Bake at 375 F for 30 to 35 minutes until golden.

Homemade Currant Jelly

Currant jelly is a jewel colored spread that old New England cooks put up every summer and brought out all winter. It is tart, bright and lovely on warm bread or beside roast meats. Use a cold plate test to know when it is ready: a drop should wrinkle when you push it with your finger. Process jars in a boiling water bath so they store safely. Pour it into pretty jars and add them to your list of homemade gifts in a jar. Would you give jars of this as holiday gifts?

You will need: 4 cups red currant juice (from about 3 lb fresh currants), 4 cups sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice

How to make it: 1. Simmer currants with 1/2 cup water 10 minutes, then strain through a jelly bag for 4 cups juice. 2. Bring juice and lemon juice to a boil and stir in sugar until dissolved. 3. Boil hard 8 to 10 minutes until it passes the cold plate test. 4. Ladle into hot sterilized jars with 1/4 inch headspace. 5. Process in a boiling water bath 10 minutes.

Little Women Recipes: Creamy Hot Cocoa

Picture four sisters gathered by the fire on a snowy Concord evening, each holding a warm mug. Homemade hot cocoa is that feeling in a cup. Whisk cocoa and sugar with a splash of milk into a smooth paste first, so there are no lumps, then add the rest of the milk and heat gently without boiling. A pinch of salt makes the chocolate taste richer. Top it with whipped cream and serve it as a warm finish to Little Women Recipes, then explore these hot chocolate recipes from around the world. Marshmallows or whipped cream?

You will need: 4 cups milk, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/8 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, whipped cream for topping

How to make it: 1. Whisk cocoa, sugar, salt and 1/4 cup milk into a smooth paste in a saucepan. 2. Whisk in the remaining milk. 3. Heat over medium until steaming, without boiling. 4. Stir in vanilla. 5. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream.

Muffins for a Cold Morning

Warm muffins are made for the kind of frosty New England morning the March sisters knew well, when the house was chilly and breakfast needed to warm everyone up. These simple apple cinnamon muffins come together in one bowl. Stir just until the flour disappears; overmixing makes them tough. Fill the cups almost to the top for tall, domed tops. Wrap a few in a cloth and carry them to a neighbor, the March family way. For more easy bakes like this, see these quick breads and muffins. What is your favorite cold morning breakfast?

You will need: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup milk, 1/3 cup butter melted, 1 large egg, 1 apple peeled and diced, 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar for topping

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400 F and line a 12 cup muffin tin. 2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. 3. Whisk milk, butter and egg and stir in just until combined. 4. Fold in apple and fill cups nearly full. 5. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake 18 to 20 minutes.

Little Women Recipes: Corned Beef and Potatoes

Corned beef and potatoes is the kind of thrifty, filling supper a busy New England household would set on the table. The beef simmers low and slow until it is fork tender, and the potatoes and carrots cook right in the flavorful broth. Keep the pot at a gentle simmer, not a boil, so the meat stays juicy. Slice it across the grain for tender pieces. Among Little Women Recipes, this one feeds a crowd of sisters with ease. Have extra cabbage on hand? Try these thrifty cabbage dinners. Is this a family supper at your house?

You will need: 1 corned beef brisket (3 to 4 lb) with spice packet, 1 onion quartered, 3 garlic cloves, 1 1/2 lb small potatoes, 4 carrots cut in chunks, 1 small head cabbage cut in wedges, 2 tbsp butter

How to make it: 1. Place brisket, spice packet, onion and garlic in a large pot and cover with water. 2. Simmer covered 3 hours until fork tender. 3. Add potatoes and carrots and simmer 20 minutes. 4. Add cabbage and simmer 15 minutes more. 5. Rest the beef 10 minutes, slice across the grain and serve with buttered vegetables.

Old-Fashioned Plum Pudding

Plum pudding is the dark, spiced steamed dessert of an old-fashioned Christmas, and despite the name, it is made with raisins and currants, not plums. This family-friendly version uses apple juice to plump the fruit. Steam it gently in a covered mold, and keep the water topped up with boiling water so the pot never boils dry. It can be made a week ahead and reheated by steaming for an hour. Serve slices with warm vanilla sauce, and if you love saucy steamed desserts, try this sticky toffee pudding. Is pudding part of your Christmas?

You will need: 1 cup raisins, 1 cup currants, 1/2 cup apple juice, 1/2 cup butter softened, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 apple grated

How to make it: 1. Soak raisins and currants in apple juice 1 hour. 2. Cream butter and brown sugar, then beat in eggs. 3. Stir in flour, breadcrumbs, baking soda, spices, salt, apple and soaked fruit. 4. Spoon into a greased 6 cup mold, cover tightly with foil and set on a rack in a pot. 5. Add boiling water halfway up and steam covered 3 hours.