Alexandra Kathryn Mosca — Exploring Life and Death: A Writer's Journey

Soft and buttery, Spritz cookies originated as a Scandinavian Christmas tradition involving a unique preparation process. The dough is pressed through a special tool with patterned holes, creating intricate shapes. Once baked, these cookies are often coated in chocolate or other flavorings. Nowadays, this tradition is celebrated across various countries and cultures, with countless home bakers crafting their own beloved adaptations of the recipe.

A particularly unique version belongs to Naomi Miller-Dawson and her family. What distinguishes this specific recipe is its inscription on her monument located in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery.

I had heard about the Spritz Cookie gravestone for some time, but it wasn’t until early last year that I had the opportunity to see it in person. I met up with Marge Raymond, Green-Wood Cemetery’s most popular tour guide, on a cold but sunny day in February. I was there to take her “late winter tour” and interview her for an upcoming article. After the official tour ended, Marge showed me a number of other interesting sites in the cemetery and eventually led me to the Miller-Dawson monument. The pink granite structure features an open cookbook at its peak. Inscribed across two stony pages lies the treasured recipe of Naomi Miller-Dawson, preserved for generations to come.

I included a photo of the Spritz monument in my article titled ‘Touring Green-Wood With an Expert,’ which was featured in the April 2023 issue of American Cemetery & Cremation magazine.