Thursday, September 22, 2011

Vintage Cookbooks

There's a chill in the air tonight and it makes me want to turn on the oven and bake something. I have a variety of cookbooks I can turn to for recipes, but sometimes it's fun to go back in time and look through my little vintage paperback cookbooks for recipes that my grandma might have used.


These little booklets were put out by various companies; this one by the American Can Company and it features recipes using canned items.


This one highlights the Hotpoint Automatic Range and must have come with the stove.


I love the cover on this one, put out by General Foods in 1945. It would look so cute framed and hanging on my kitchen wall, but I can't bear to separate the cover from the booklet. 


This one is most special to me. It was published by Crisco in 1949. If you look closely, you can see the words "Mother's Book" in the top right hand corner. This actually was my Grandma's and the handwriting is my then 11-year old mom's, who gave this to me recently, and I treasure it. As I look through it, I can tell which recipes were most used by the aged brown splotches on the pages. Apparently the Crisp Sugar Cookies, Rich Brownies, and Walnut Slices were baked often! 
                       
Have you ever made a recipe from one of these old gems? There's a recipe for Spice Cake and Creamy Caramel Icing in my Grandma's book that sounds perfect for this crisp, cool weather. I think I'll get to work adding some more brown splotches to the little cookbook that's been passed down from mother to daughter twice now. Time to get out that can of Crisco!

22 comments:

donna said...

Betsy what great cook books. I wish I could say I have had something out of these cook books. The covers are so wonderful. But I do have 3 generations of the Better Homes and Gardens cook books.
Hugs
donna

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

My mom had these kind of recipe books. I didn't keep them!! I do have 2 though that give recipes on how to cook with War rations. Those I treasure!!

magie said...

What a lovely collection of vintage cookbooks..I love the covers! It is nice to have recipe books that have been passed on from generation to generation. The creamy caramel icing sounds really good! I also have a collection of old cookbooks, you have inspired me to post some on my blog, next post I do :)
Happy Baking!

Twyla and Lindsey said...

I love old cookbooks! I also love that stack of vintage tablecloths in your background! Have a nice weekend! Twyla

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

Oh my gosh Betsy, I also have a huge collection of vintage cookbooks. No surprise, right? Well, I'm thinking I would love it if you would take a close up picture of that cookbook cover that you said would be so cute framed. I'm going to try printing it out, I also love it and would love to have it hanging somewhere in the house. Do you think you could try? Thanks!!
Hugs,
Julie
Julie

Joy Burkhart said...

Love your collection of vintage cookbooks! Having one of your grandma's is so special.
XoXo
Joy

Amanda said...

Oh my goodness, these cook books look wonderful, I can only imagine how amazing the recipes are.

Cristina said...

Very pretty blog!!!

Sewn With Grace said...

Hi Betsy! I'm your newest follower. What a pretty blog you have. It looks like we have many of the same interests. I'm listing you on my side bar. I'll be back often! Blessings!

Visits With Mary said...

What a wonderful collection you have...I remember little cookbooks like those...

Becky said...

A gorgeous collection! Im a new follower and its so fun here I cant wait to return.

Anonymous said...

I found my way here from scrappn with Z.
My sister and I have always looked for the old little cook books like these when we go to yard sales. We also have some that our Mother had.

Now I need to go look in my cupboard with 'new' eyes seeing the pictures that are on the front of them. Thinking cards and scrapbooking with them--just like old patterns have become popular for that.

I too would like to be able to get a copy of the picture on the book that Julie has asked for.

I also have a love of aprons, especially the vintage patterned material. Just love your little red hen apron!!

JoanR

Free Pretty Things For You said...

oh I'm so thrilled You're Thrilled!!
Welcome to blogland!!
If you could email me your mailing info at freeprettythingsforyou@yahoo.com
would be wonderful!
xoxooxoxo!
-K

farmersdotter said...

Love your blog and all the polka dots! I collect cookbooks too (along with lots of other things!) I have one just like yours that I put out at red, white and blue season. Are you interested in quilting at all, it kind of goes with farm life!
Brenda...the Farmer's Dotter

Joy Burkhart said...

Hi Betsy! Congrats on winning over at Free Pretty Things For You! And I love the freebie Keren made in your honor!
Super!
Joy

Hope said...

Betsy, you are truly a girl after my own heart! I have some old cookbooks too. One came with an old cookstove..you know..the kind that used wood! The wording on these always fascinates me. One of my mother's old recipes that I have is for cornbread turkey dressing. It calls for 4 "cards" of saltine crackers. Crackers use to come in squares of 4 crackers that were perforated to break apart. I still use that recipe and know that I need 16 crackers! :)

You have a knack for taking me way back in time! Thanks for the memories!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a special book with your mother's handwriting on the cover! And I LOVE old cookbooks! I go straight to that section when I get to a thrift store! Childrens books and cookbooks! And yes, I've made lots of these old recipes! I have my mother in laws Snickerdoodle recipe that I make often for my hubby! ♥

Red Rose Alley said...

Hello,
I visited your blog today - I saw you on Chittychatcat. Your blog is so colorful and full of life!! Red...my favorite color. If you go to our blog, you will see why I like it so much. I noticed your pumpkin picture. I just love it. You have a lot of creative ideas, and so many wonderful pictures. Me and my daughters just started a new blog, and we would love it if you could visit us and follow. I would enjoy coming back to visit with you - your blog is so charming, and I left here with a smile. Hope to hear from you, and have a sweet day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Sherry from Alabama said...

I have enjoyed my first visit to your beautiful blog. Congratulations on winning Keren's giveaway at Free Pretty Things For You!

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

Elyse said...

hi betsy!

i just popped over from keren's blog. what a sweet site you have!

ever considered a color copy of your favorite color to frame? cheap 'n easy!

xo
elyse

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Such wonderful cookbooks Betsy! Yummy! xo

Angela said...

I SO want those books :) LOVE them!!! Over from free pretty things...now following.