The 2023 'We Energies Cookie Book' has arrived. Here's where you can get a copy.
Alex Groth
Lois Hartwig always loved making recipes to feed her sons with growing appetites.
The Port Washington native often made a recipe called Heavenly Bars with peanut butter and rice cereal. The bars were an absolute favorite of her son, Ozaukee County sheriff's deputy Adam Hartwig, who passed away unexpectedly of natural causes in 2016.
This year she decided to submit the recipe to the 2023 "We Energies Cookie Book" in his memory.
Hartwig is active in supporting the sheriff's department. Now, she often visits with Adam's son, Waylen, and delivers the bars to deputies.
The recipe is included in this year's "We Energies Cookie Book." Free copies of the book will be distributed across the state from Nov. 1-10, including at American Family Field from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 4.
This year's theme will honor Wisconsin's first responders. The book includes 36 recipes submitted by police, firefighters and EMTs.
In addition the the Heavenly Bars, this year's book includes recipes like Lava Cookies, submitted by 21-year-old Milwaukee firefighter Makena Miller, featuring a chocolate dough rolled in powdered sugar.
While at the firehouse, Miller often bakes for other firefighters. She said "really any sweets in the firehouse are people's favorite."
Miller said she hopes sharing recipes will help first responders connect with their communities.
"Every day the community invites us into their homes, and now sharing these recipes is inviting them into ours," Miller said.
In the book, you'll also see two recipes for your pups, including dog treats made with sweet potatoes and whole wheat flour.
All of the recipes also include an anecdote from the person who submitted them.
We Energies plans to distribute about 220,000 copies of the 2023 Cookie Book, which is comparable to last year's distribution numbers, said Amy Jahns, spokesperson for We Energies.
We Energies cookie book is a long-standing Wisconsin tradition
The "We Energies Cookie Book" was introduced in 1928 when the company was known as the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. The company distributed the book to customers to promote their appliances.
The 1942 edition during World War II only had 14 recipes and featured cookies low in shortening and sugar to accommodate for rationing during the war. By 1945 the book was restored to its former design.
After the 1973 Cookie Book, the company stopped publishing the book until 1984 because rising energy costs led it to cut the book from their budget. The book was published in 1991, 1998, 2002 and restored to its annual printing tradition in 2006.
Where to get the 2023 'We Energies Cookie Book'
We Energies will publish their 2023 Cookie Book Nov. 1, and it will be available for digital download at 8 a.m.
The company is hosting distribution events at 24 locations across Wisconsin and one in Michigan. All distribution events are drive-thru only. Dates and times might change and inclement weather may postpone events. Distribution events in the Milwaukee area include:
- Burlington: 700 S. Kane St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 9
- Franklin: 6000 W. Ryan Road (Milwaukee County Sports Complex), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 1
- Jefferson: 503 N. Jackson Ave. (Jefferson County Fair Park), 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 1
- Milwaukee: Yount and Uecker lots, American Family Field, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 4
- Port Washington: 700 Sunset Road, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 2
- Somers: Highway KR, just west of Highway 32, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 2
- Waukesha: 1000 Northview Road (Waukesha County Expo Center), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 9
- West Bend: 3000 Hwy. PV (Washington County Fair Park), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 9
Where to find previous editions
Maybe you've misplaced one of your books? Trying to make a recipe your grandma used to make? Not to worry. We Energies has digitally archived their books spanning all the way back to 1932. You can find the digital archives on their website at we-energies.com/recipes/archive.