Q&A With Eleanor “Grann” Claus of Ultima Thule Lodge

84-year old Eleanor Claus is not your typical granny.

We could talk how she helped her husband settle two remote homesteads with three kids in tow back in the 60s (one of these homesteads has since been transformed into a popular and stunning tourist lodge, Ultima Thule Lodge). Or about how she was one of the first clinically-trained pediatric nurses in Alaska. There’s also the fact that she has completed 28 full marathons since she started running competitively at the age of 47. (And do we even need to mention the last name?)

Despite all of these achievements, Granny Claus is perhaps best known for one very typical grandma thing: her cookies.

I sat down with Granny Claus (who insisted I call her Granny) and her granddaughter, Logan, in Eagle River, just before they were about to head out to Ultima Thule for the summer season. There we talked all things sweet, including recipe secrets — and not-so-secret recipes.

Was it always you and your husband’s plan to move to Alaska and start a tourist lodge?

Granny: We moved to Anchorage in 1958, planning just to try out life here. My husband was a teacher in Anchorage and had all of these ideas for adventures during his three months off. He realized that if we wanted to get anywhere in Alaska, he was going to have to learn how to fly, and after getting his pilot’s license he became a big game hunting guide, so he could afford to keep the plane! On one of those big game trips, taking people out hunting for sheep, he first came across that area [near Wrangell-St.Elias National Park], and he was able to get 5 acres through the Homestead Act.

Logan: It was listed as commercial use, and it was actually only set up with tents for a long time, just for taking hunters out. This grew into a cabin that’s still there, and then eventually the lodge.

Granny: Yes, my oldest son, Paul, moved out there by himself when he was 18. And after he got married in 1982, he and his wife Donna decided to start the lodge. John and I came out to help with the kids and the building, and Donna and I did all of the cooking. Early on we had a lot of mountain climbers and I remember cooking for them, and it was fun to cook for them if you had enough food, because they ate and ate and ate … sourdough pancakes mostly!

Logan: Yeah, I used to stay with Granny then and I’d wake up at 4 AM with her to bake bread and cookies for the day.

Granny: I don’t remember that, you would get up and come over with me?

Logan: Yeah (laughs)!

Granny: Oh, wow (laughs)!

Logan: Granny still makes staff breakfast every morning now, from May to September, and sourdough pancakes once a week for the guests. She feeds about 35 with staff and guests and pilots, on a typical day.

Have you always loved to cook, Granny?

Granny: Well, my mother tried to teach me, but you never really learn until you’re on your own.

Logan: She cloth-diapered 3 kids in a log cabin on her own while learning to cook out there!

Granny: Yes, it was difficult at times with my husband flying back and forth to Anchorage for work. My neighbor was the one who taught me all about sourdough and the different berries. She used to make a ketchup with the high-bush cranberries

What else do you like to make, besides pancakes?

Granny: Well, there’s the quiche with our own veggies at the lodge … I do that about once a week. And coffee cake.

Logan: Granny, you’re forgetting your two signature things.

Granny: I am?

Logan: Your cookies!

Granny: (laughs) Well, yes, that is my signature.

Logan: They’ve inspired a movement: “Powered by Granny” with stickers and everything. People put them on their skis and backpacks. And then there’s her homemade doughnuts that she makes every Sunday.

Granny: Yes, rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Logan: The kids at church know her as the doughnut lady. How many are in each batch, Granny?

Granny: Oh, I don’t know. About 60? Yes, I’ve been on vacation in Florida, I think the kids think I’ve died (laughs)!

[PSA: Granny is alive and well and back at it at Ultima Thule!]

And you cook every day at the lodge in the summer?

Granny: We have a pastry chef at the lodge now. And Donna does all of the dinners. I’m supposed to be retired, you know! I’m going to be 84 this year, can’t I retire? Just kidding!

Logan: But you still make staff breakfast every day. And Sunday donuts. And cookies every day.

Granny: Well, yeah, cookies. I make 2 batches every day in the summer.

Logan: So 6 dozen cookies every day, total. Granny: They go out with the guests packed lunches.

The guests must love having fresh baked cookies every day, right?

Logan: Everyone loves Granny!

So can we talk about the cookies? Are you willing to give up your secrets?

Granny: Sure! I just use the recipe on the back of the bag, you know. And I add some oatmeal. And lately I’ve branched out to peanut butter, using the chunky kind.

Logan: But the additional cup of oatmeal is her secret to keep them moist. The magical Granny touch that no one can replicate….

Granny: (laughs) Yes, of course!

How did this recipe develop?

Granny: A mountain guide that worked for us once said his grandma did it, added the oatmeal. So we thought, why not try it? I was willing to try it since I was Grandma, too.

What’s your advice for Alaska home cooks?

Granny: If you’re interested in baking, I would say just bake with your heart. If you like to do it, that is, like I like to do cookies. I don’t get tired of it because everyone is always wanting them and that’s a satisfaction for me. I enjoy doing it. I don’t think you have to have any kind of talent, but of course experience helps. I’ve been doing this for a while. Don’t give up unless it’s because you’re not really interested.

And also, we should balance the cookies with running, to look as great as you do at 84?

Granny: Ha, yes! I just walk now. But I have no intention to stop, unless my body doesn’t allow me to do it. But I’ve been blessed to be able to do it without injury so far, and I’m really thankful that I can go out there every day and do what I can do.