In searching for cookie recipes in the books in the free library, it seems that cookies weren't as prevalent in the late 1800s as they are now. Cakes, pies and fruit concoctions take precedence. What do food historians out there know about when cookies became popular, or is my limited observation incorrect?

There is a cookie recipe for ginger-snaps here which I'll bet would be good with the addition of some finely chopped nuts.