5 Treasured Old Timey Sweet Recipes from My Grandma's Food Journal
A Discovery!
My mother would have loved the research that has gone into this post when discovering these old timey sweet recipes from the past. That is because she truly enjoyed her desserts. She certainly baked enough of them for our family of five!
Not only did she bake cookies, cakes and pies but all the while we lived in Wisconsin she also made homemade breads. We were definitely spoiled. I had just turned 13 years of age when we moved to Texas and prior to that had never eaten store bought bread.
Upon going through some of her things recently I discovered a box of recipes. Some of them were simply old yellowed newspaper clippings with a variety of what must have sounded like tempting recipes to try. Others were scraps of paper with handwritten recipes.
Old Journal
An old journal caught my attention and I was delighted to find that it had belonged to my maternal grandmother.
It had obviously been well used and is in fragile condition with some of the cover crumbling away. A few of the pages are loose and every recipe in this book is hand written, mostly in my grandmother's penmanship.
Many of the recipes are attributed to the people who would have shared them with her. Her mother is listed as the author of several as well as her sister, some aunts and some friends of theirs.
My great-grandmother died when my grandmother was a young child. Therefore these recipes from her mother were undoubtedly cherished. At the convent school where my grandmother and her sisters were schooled, cooking would have been included in what they had been taught. But these recipes from her dear mother provided a personal culinary link to her past.
Some recipes are crossed out and obviously when tested were not to her liking.
My grandmother was an excellent cook and baker which were only some of her many wonderful attributes. She was like a second mother to me when I was growing up.
This old journal was obviously used in the kitchen often when she was cooking and baking because some of the pages are heavily marked up with years of accidental food spatter. It is fairly easy to determine which of the many recipes were the favorites judging by just how marked up the pages had become!
Recipes
Deciding to try some of the recipes in my grandmother's journal made for some happy neighbors of ours. My husband and I are not huge sweet eaters but know people who savor desserts.
In reading many of these recipes only the ingredients were noted. Obviously it was taken for granted that no other instructions would be needed to complete the recipe. Cooks back then would have known how to proceed.
Measurements are also hard to decipher as packaging has changed greatly over the years and some ingredients could not be located. So for many of the recipes in this old journal, they will be read for entertainment purposes only and will probably never again be enjoyed.
We did taste the results of the ones that I could decipher, and if you are curious to see what was entered so many years ago into this journal...let's begin with some of the selected and sampled recipes.
Soft as Silk Cake
A notation was made that this recipe originated from listening to the radio. Television was a rather new thing when I was a youngster and I still remember my parents listening to the radio for broadcasts.
Ingredients
2 cups flour
4 eggs
2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup milk
1 Tablespoons melted butter
2 ounces chocolate melted
Directions
Sift flour with Baking Powder. Beat eggs until very light. Beat in the salt, sugar and vanilla. Heat milk with butter, when scalding hot beat into egg mixture. Beat in flour and Baking Powder. Pour 1/3 of batter in well greased 8 inch pan. Blend melted chocolate into remaining 2/3 batter. Put into pan and bake in 350 degree's oven about 25 to 30 minutes. (Work fast with cake.)
My impressions: This is a very light and airy chocolate cake. The name does it justice. Check with a toothpick to make sure the cake is done. It took a little longer than the time stated in this recipe with our oven.
Date Bread from Mrs. Kraase
What drew my attention to this page was the notation at the bottom of the page stating that it "Takes 5 fruit cans to bake this amount." Oh the good old days! Naturally I would not have known what size, nor do I ordinarily bake in fruit cans, so I used my mini-loaf pans to make this date nut bread recipe.
In case you cannot read the handwriting on this spattered page above, here are the ingredients and directions:
1 cup sugar, 1 cup dates, 2 heaping Tablespoons shortening. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over this and let stand until cooled.
Then add 1 beaten egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Sift 2 1/4 cups flour together with 1 rounded teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt adding to liquid mixture.
Stir in 1 cup of chopped nuts.
Bake about 1 hour in a moderate oven. I took this to mean a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven which seemed to work well. Start checking the bread after about 45 to 50 minutes to see if it is completely baked. This could be made into a larger loaf as well.
This recipe passed muster with us and I now have several small loaves frozen which will be used when we have the right occasion to give a little gift or have some company that might wish to enjoy some slices with some fresh made coffee.
Crumb Cake
This recipe is by my Great Aunt Lona who was one of my grandmother's sisters.
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cups flour
1/2 cup lard (lard was more commonly used back then and shortening can be substituted)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
Mix the above ingredients "like pie-crust" and take out 1 cup of mixture reserving it for the topping.
Add 1 egg
1 cup of buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
and 1 teaspoon salt.
Beat well. Put in greased tin and sprinkle with the 1 cup of topping. Add dates and nuts if desired. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until done.
Note: I added about 1 cup of chopped pecans and the baking time took a little longer in our oven. This reminded my husband and myself of some coffee cakes we have had in the past. So a little more of this stayed in the house instead of all being passed out to the neighbors.
Oh the research and sacrifices that were done for this post! (Smile)
Crunchy Chocolate Cookies by Mrs. Rathmann
This particular recipe was hand written on a slip of paper by Mrs. Rathmann and was dated March 19, 1959, McAllen. My grandparents vacationed in McAllen, Texas and had a large group of friends that did the same each year at the same prearranged time in the Winter. They had regular reservations at the Royal Palms Motel.
At the time my grandparents lived in Wisconsin, and the Rathmanns resided in Minnesota for the balance of the year. Fond friendships were formed and many of them ended up moving down to McAllen permanently. I am guessing that Mrs. Rathmann is in this picture along with my grandmother and other friends.
Ingredients and Directions for the Chocolate Cookies
Melt over hot water ( not boiling ) one 12-ounce package of chocolate bits; one 6-ounce package of cherry bits and one 6-ounce package of butterscotch or caramel bits. When thoroughly melted, add one 6-ounce can of Chow Mein noodles. Coat thoroughly. Turn off fire and drop by teaspoon onto wax paper. Stir often while dropping them. Let harden.
Note: We could not find cherry bits so simply used the chocolate and butterscotch. One could also use other combinations of bits like peanut butter and chocolate.
This reminded us more of tasting a crunchy candy bar than eating a cookie. It is rich. Crunchy candy bar lovers will like this! Our neighbors were once again made very happy with the gift of this completed recipe.
Cherry Torte by Alma
Alma (standing on the left in the picture) was my great grandparent's daughter. My great grandmother is seated on the right. My grandmother is standing next to Alma, the author of this mouth watering recipe.
Ingredients for the Cherry Torte
1 can cherries drained until dry, or press dry with a large spoon (save juice)
Note: I used two 14 1/2 ounce cans (411 grams) of pitted red tart cherries to get the correct amount for this recipe.
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chopped nuts ( I used pecans )
1 beaten egg
2 cups of the drained cherries
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Sift the dry ingredients together and then add the nuts, egg, butter and cherries. Stir together well and pour into a buttered 8 inch by 11 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry.
Hint: When a cake or baked bread starts pulling away from the side of the pan this is an indication that the baked goods are getting close to being done.
Ingredients and directions for the topping
Combine the reserved cherry juice in a pan with the following ingredients:
1 level tablespoon corn starch
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
Boil the ingredients until thickened and pour over cake. This makes a nice cherry colored glaze.
Suggestion: Serve with whipped cream.
Back to the Journal
This numbered 236 page journal could have been utilized for a number of things. My grandparents kept logs of their vacation trips writing notes in smaller booklets and often jotting down notations onto the back of postcards of places where they stayed.
It was obviously decided to make this blank paged beautifully bound journal into a cookbook of tried and true recipes gathered from relatives and friends. I am so happy to have come across this treasure.
While the overall condition of the journal is not in the best condition, the endleaves are particularly beautiful. After all of these pictures of family members and the desserts that they shared with my grandmother (and tried and tested by me these many years later) I decided to show you the dazzling colors of this journal's marbleized endleaves as a final photo.
Which of these old timey sweet recipes from the past do you think that you might wish to try making?
© 2010 Peggy Woods
Comments are welcomed.
I think you are so lucky to have your grandmother's recipe book! Such a great way to remember your grandma. Several of these recipes look scrumptious! I like the cherry torte for starters. Can't believe this is another article I haven't seen before!
Pinning this to Awesome HubPages, also to my 'Fabulous Deserts' board, and sharing with followers.
Hope all is well with you and that you're enjoying a cool restful weekend!
its a good thing that she passed on the baking talent to you
It is just wonderful. Thank you for sharing these treasures with us, the memories as well as the recipes.
What a wonderful treat to have this piece of personal history. The recipes look good, and I plan on trying the crumb cake.
Such a keepsake is priceless for the memories it gives you, and I'm so glad you found your grandmother's journal-cookbook. It reminds me of an old cookbook that was my father-in-law's--not handwritten, but so well-used for decades that it, too, was food-splattered and full of notes. In fact, most of the pages had come loose from the spine by the time of his death. Reading his notes was almost like reading a journal. I think his granddaughter now has it.
Voted Up++
Jaye
Loved this hub!
I don't think I have ever been on this hub. The recipes look so good. Voted up, shared and have to pins these to my recipe board. Thanks for sharing.
That Cherry Torte looks fabulous! Voted up and awesome! :)
Peggy this is such a special story. I enjoyed it so much and the recipes look yummy. Can't wait to try them.
This hub is just delightful. I enjoy looking at old recipes that were written out by hand. You have a definite treasure in that old journal, an heirloom that you should never part with. :-)
I am going to try it and will let you know!
What a great hub! I loved reading about your grandmother's recipes. When I was a child in the 60s-70s, the grocery stores used to carry this fabulous "date nut" bread that came in a can ... I think Dromedary was the maker. I've so missed it since it disappeared from the grocery shelves ... your grandmother's recipe sounds very close to what I recall! Thank you so much!
I had the good fortune to have eaten some of my Great grandmothers Walnut cakes and the memory of her and those wonderful home made cakes is still precious. You have a treasure, thanks for sharing.
Peggy this is wonderful. The love that went into this hub really shows and the recipes are fabulous. Thanks for blessing us with this.
Isn't it wonderful how recipes keep us in touch in a special way with our relatives?
Stumbled on this, and oh my! Such an enjoyable hub! I am bookmarking it, as I think all of the recipes are certainly worth trying!Additionally , I loved the stories with the recipes. What a treasure you have!
Thanks for your very helpful hub.
I really enjoyed this Hub - I love old family treasures like this journal. I think the cherry torte looks quite awesome!
Thanks for sharing this treasure-trove.
Love and peace
Tony
These recipes all sound delightful! I definitely have to try the date cake and the crumb cake. I love that they came from your grandmother's journal.
Peggy, A friend implored me years ago to get my mom's classic cake recipes. She said no matter how morbid you might think it to be, just do it, you won't regret it. I have 2 hubs on my mom's layer cakes, and one on her pound cakes. I have lots of recipe hubs, and call Mom often when I am writing recipes.
My mother has a huge sweet tooth and has recipes scribbled on brown paper towel from coworkers in the cotton mill. SHe has an old church cookbook, one of her first, that is worn and stained with ingredients like you describe. Looking forward to more from the journal.
Congratulations on winning, Ms.Peggy. It's like going back to your past with all the sweets as the added attraction in a conversation of long ago. Thanks for this hub. LOL:D
I voted for trying all of them because that's the kind of 'Old Timey Sweet Recipes' person I am. I too grew up with a mother who baked these treasures. And unlike my silly siblings who played outside during baking time - I was smart enough to hang around should something drop on the floor. Even better, my mother saved jar lids and let me baked mini apple pies and cobblers in the lids right along with her. It worked perfectly!
Such a great hub! Rated up and more of course!
Peggy, what a treasure and wonderful legacy from your grandmother. Me, I'm all for the cherry torte, although I make a cookie from the Chow Mien noodles. I use melted butterscotch pieces. Quite popular, but more like candy than a cookie. Thanks for sharing these wonderful old recipes.
What a marvelous tribute to your great and grandparents, Another beautiful hub with the pictures, tales and recipes. My favorite was the cherry torte - that picture you took should be illegal it is just so tempting. Also congrats on your win - your hubs are simply a pleasure to read Peggy.
Congratulations on your win. That book is sure a treasure. I have a book similar to that from my grandmother but not quite that big and it is a treasure to me. All of your recipes looked good but I think the soft as silk cake would be fun to try.
Congrats again YOOOHOOO! Maita
Wow that is a really cool story:] Thanks for sharing! I will be sure to try some of those recipes. They look delicious!
My great grandmother was known for her creamy but firm purple yam cakes, which we used to knead using our clean little fingers until the small lumps were smooth and maleable; and then shape them into fish, flower, boat, and many more. What a pity, my late "lola" didn't make a journal for her authentic recipes... Reading this wonderful hub brought back many happy childhood memories. Congratulations, Peggy W. :)
What a great hub and how wonderful to have found such a great connection to your great grandmother. Thanks for sharing!
hey Peggy,
Your journal is a treasure, in more ways than one!
The recipe for Crunchy Chocolate Cookies brings back childhood memories of Christmas time. I think I may just go to the store and get a can of chow mein noodles and dome chocolate and butterscotch chips, and then attempt to "relive" some memories!
Thanks for sharing the journal! :) Steve
Hey, Peggy. This is such a charming hub. What a treasure you have found. I wish my grandma had left a journal of old recipes for me as well. lol .....By the way, congrats on the win. Well-deserved! :)
Love old-timey recipes. I always tried to get my grandmother to write down a recipe, especially for her home-made cloverleaf rolls, but she didn't have a recipe. She said just a little of this and that (you know). Her rolls were as big as a loaf of bread.
You are so lucky to find something as valuable as the journal.
Congratulations on the win!
Peggy,you lucky girl!Wonderful grandmom & her recipes. Thanks for sharing. Am bookmarking this hub.
And Congrats!:)
Brilliant recipes. Thank you so much for sharing them. So often, the older recipes are far nicer than those of today, because a lot more care was taken back then to only use the proper ingredients. Horror of horrors if we had suggested to them to use Orley Whip or margarine!
I am also a firm believer of only using 100% pure ingredients for baking and food preparation, as it definitely does make a huge difference in the quality of the end result.
Do you believe the secret behind the ancient things? I found all that things through this hub. This recipes like treasure, and I found something glittering in this hub. Simple recipes but delicious. To appreciate this hub, I rate this one. Good work, my friend.
Prasetio
What a well deserved win indeed. This hub in itself is a masterpeice in itself. Your grandparents will be so proud of you. You really found the treasure of recipes, but you taking such good care and writing a hub speaks a lot of you. I am bookmarking this especially for all the love it has.
Great recipes, incredible photos, lovely ladies; reading the hub made me nostalgic of the times we spent with our grandparents. Rated it up for good memories. Kudos and once again congrats on the big win.
This is a great hub! you have legacy recipes which can be family's treasure. I think you can make a success in restaurant business.
Congrats on the win!
A very well-deserved win! Great photos and delicious recipes that look just wonderful. I am sure your grandmother is smiling from above. Best, Steph
An extremely good hub, useful content but above all I liked your discovery, digging old photographs and sweet remembrances of your loved ones through long kept cookbooks. Congratulations for being selected as the winner! You deserved it.
Hello Peggy, this is such a wonderful hub. I think its just lovely, and I love all your pictures, and what you wrote. Congratulations on your win as well. Some of my most precious recipes are from my grandmother and other family members. The writing alone is worth so much. Ocean
I like this hub, the recipes and of course the memories, Congratualtions for your nomination, truly deserving, Beautiful, Maita
Maybe we'll shoot some video somehow for you. That way you can get our reactions in a visual show. ;)
Wow these all sound amazing! How cool that you have her old journal. Thanks for sharing!
Om nom nom. I'm gonna get ingredients for some of these this weekend. And then ask K@ri to make it. Muwahahahahahah. ;)
But, besides the great recipes--I enjoyed all the media here, the background, all of it. Excellent writing.
Pretty cool - I have some old recipe cards and a cookbook from my husband's mom in Michigan. It is so fascinating to look at old recipes. Good luck!
Awesome! I love heirloom recipes! I found my great-grandmother's recipe collection a few months ago, and I've had a blast with them!
Great hub! I love the nostalgia, behind the recipes! Congrats, on being selected as a "Best Hub" nominee this week. Good luck to you! :)
This is not only an interesting hub, but also a work of art! You have done the photos in such a beautiful way.
I picked Crumb Cake because I ate something similar when I was a child in Nebraska (Pat writes). I had forgotten all about it, and now would like to try the recipe.
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