Updated February 2023
I own a slew of vintage cookbooks from the 1940s-1960s of which I mostly open to just transport into another era (my cooking skills are poor). They are truly fantastic pieces of history and the recipes are quite fun and sometimes very interesting.
Today post is going to be a peak into vintage cookbooks from the 1940s-1960s with a few recipes that you can try out at home. Super for anyone looking to try something different for dinner tonight. AND if you love them that much, at the time of posting this blog the books were all for sale on Etsy.
Note: Make sure you check out my Etsy collection that I update once a month with vintage cookbooks from the 1900s to 1960s avail for sale on Etsy.
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Note: If the item you clicked on is no longer available, just do a search for like items. There are loads of vintage items being added to Etsy daily!
Enjoy!
The Vintage Cookbooks
What Shall I Cook Today? Very good question friends, but thankfully ‘Spry – Pure Vegetable Shortening’ has 124 healthful recipes for us. Circa 1940s.
LOVE the eye catching cover.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
A vintage cookbook entitled Quick Dishes for the Woman in a Hurry — 332 Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less. Copyright 1955. Published by the Culinary Arts Institute. (Avail as of Oct 22nd, 2021 HERE)
Source: Etsy
Cooking also includes Baking! 1953 Cake Secrets Cookbook by General Foods. What a fun cover! (avail HERE as of Feb 24th, 2022).
Who wants to make a Happy Day Cake? Looks delish and perfect for Easter (or anytime).
Swans Down Sponge Cake! I could eat this delish dessert all day long. YUM!
Source: Etsy
Food Fashion for 1957 by Canadian Brand (now gone), Silverwood Dairies.
The names on these book are making me laugh! Hey you have to get someones attention, somehow.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
“A Guide to Royal Success in Baking:” Royal Cream of Tarter Baking Powder circa 1940s.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1948-1949 The Homemakers Meat Recipe Book cookbook from the National Live Stock and Meat Board.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
Vintage Metropolitan Life Insurance cookbook from September 1955. These handy booklets were originally given as premiums to their policyholders.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
“Fun to Cook Book”. Adorable kids’ cookbook, put out by Carnation Company in 1955. By Margie Blake.
Source: Etsy
Mmmm 5 Minute Fudge recipe and Meat Loaf (NOT my favorite dish). Have fun kids cooking!
Source: Etsy
Sour Cream The Gourmet Touch to Everyday Cooking 1950’s Paperback Brochure / Mini Cookbook.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
1950s vegetarian cookbook titled “Florida’s Favorite Foods: Fruits and Vegetables in the Family Menu”. Copyright 1959 by the Florida Department of Agriculture. Tallahassee (Love the outfit on the cover)
Sample recipes:
* Scalloped Onions and Peanuts
* Persimmon Ice and MORE (See/ Purchase the cookbook HERE)
Salad anyone? Luncheon Salad ideas (Endive with Bacon Dressing, Vegetable Salad Combos).
Source: Etsy
1950’s Cookbook titled The Greystone Everyday Cookbook by Agnes Murphy. (Avail as of Oct 22nd, 2021 HERE).
Source: Etsy
Stork Goes Continental From The Stork Cookery Service 1950s.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
Portal to Good Cooking – Women’s American ORT – 1950’s Cookbook.
Source: Etsy
Source: Etsy
1950s ‘Definitely Different‘ The Daily Telegraph Recipe Book. The book was not super clear about what made it “definitely different” but it’s bright and cheerful cover caught my attention.
Source: Etsy
That’s it for this week friends! Happy cooking.
Question time: Do you own a vintage cookbook or 2? And if so, do you use it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
FURTHER READING:
- Vintage Cake Ideas As Seen Thru 1920s-1950s Ads
- Vintage Recipes from 1940s & 1950s Carnation Milk Advertisements
- Vintage Cooking Recipes as seen in Vintage Ads from the 1930s-1950s
- Vintage Cookbooks from the 1940s & 1950s
- Vintage Tips for a “Perfect” Thanksgiving Dinner
- My 1950’s Betty Crocker cookbook and a few things I have learned from good old Betty herself
- Dig That Dish-The Coolest Vintage Recipe Book Around
Liz
I don’t remember what the inside looked like. I know it was a dark shade of green with I think gold lettering. It was about an inch or inch and a quarter thick. My mom used it for everything. I would love to find one if possible. Thank You, Kat Wood ( kathleenlw462@gmail.com
Your looking for a certain cookbook? You could try searching Etsy, eBay and typing in your description, even google. I would try to help if I had more to go by.
Good luck!
Liz
Found the Metropolitan Cookbook in my grandmother’s stash of cookbooks (along with a small recipe box stuffed with hundreds of clippings / handwritten recipes). I know she used to make the Sauerbraten recipe from t here – my uncle still raves about it. I agree that these are a window into another world – one slower-paced for sure.
Mmmmm Sauerbraten, I love that dish. My Omi used to make a very good one. What a great item to have from your grandmother. Cooking how she would of, is for sure a window into her time.
thanks for commenting!
Liz