Desserts That Were Favourites Of American Presidents

Do you know Reagan took up his go-to sweet treat as a way of quitting his pipe? Or that JFK’s favorite dessert is a New England signature dish? Here are some more details about the favorite desserts of US Presidents

Several of America’s past Presidents had displayed a keen interest in food and their culinary perspectives often seeped into their politics as well. For instance, during the Great Depression and World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt's White House menus often featured economical and comforting dishes. His favorite dessert, warm gingerbread with whipped cream, reflected a desire for simplicity during challenging times.

In the Kennedy era, elegant dinners were back at the White House as Jacqueline Kennedy was known for her French-inspired dinners and delicate pastries. Did you know that some White House desserts even helped fine-tune the recipe for popular sweet treats? Martha Washington’s Great Cake, which included fruit, nuts, and alcohol among its many ingredients inspired the modern pound cake. President John Adams’s wife Abigail Adams was renowned for her Apple Pan Dowdy which is closely related to apple pie, usually sweetened with brown sugar or molasses. Here are some of the favorite desserts by American Presidents:

George Washington's Hoecakes and Martha's Cherry Pudding:

George Washington, the first president of the United States, had a penchant for hoecakes, which is a simple and hearty dish. Hoecakes are essentially griddle cakes, a rustic and Southern version of pancakes made out of cornmeal. Some historical data also suggests that Washington was a fan of cherry puddings; his name has often been tied to a story about him chopping off a cherry tree. But it's possible that the President had a true love for the fruit and his wife Martha had a famous recipe for a cherry pudding.

Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream:

Thomas Jefferson, the third president, played a pivotal role in introducing ice cream to America after encountering it in France. One account suggests that Thomas Jefferson's recipe for vanilla ice cream can be found in a handwritten copy of "The Virginia House-Wife," a cookbook written by Mary Randolph, a relative of Jefferson.

Jefferson is also said to have had an ‘ice house’ at Monticello, his Virginia plantation, where he stored ice to make frozen desserts.

Abraham Lincoln's Apple Pie

The iconic dessert which is often used to talk about American values and the nation's palate, was a big favourite with Abe Lincoln. The traditional apple pie with a crumble crust found a special place on Abraham Lincoln's table.

John F. Kennedy's Boston Cream Pie:

His insider circle was often heard saying that JFK ate like a true New Englander and his fondness for New England Clam Chowder and the iconic Boston Cream Pie is quite legendary. Boston Cream Pie is a classic American dessert with historical ties to Boston, Massachusetts. The pie, which is actually more of a cake than a traditional pie, typically consists of two layers of sponge cake filled with vanilla custard or pastry cream and topped with a chocolate glaze.

Ronald Reagan's Jelly Beans:

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, had a well-documented love for jelly beans. He began eating them as a way to quit his pipe-smoking habit. The Jelly Belly brand gained particular fame during his presidency, as he used their jelly beans for various events and even had a special jar in the Oval Office.

Reagan's affection for jelly beans became so widely recognized that Jelly Belly introduced the blueberry-flavored jelly bean specifically for use in the presidential inauguration festivities.

Barack Obama's Coconut Cake:

The Obama Presidency is often credited for modernising the White House kitchen and leading it towards a greener direction. However, one old-school dessert that snuck its way into the kitchen of Obama's White House is the coconut cake. Many believe that the choice of coconut cake, a classic and beloved Southern dessert, reflects the multicultural influences that shaped Obama's administration.

It could also be seen as a nod to his Hawaiian roots. Hawaii, where Obama spent much of his early life, is known for its tropical flavors and coconut, a prominent ingredient in Hawaiian cuisine, likely held nostalgic and cultural significance for the 44th president.