Vintage cookbooks are a great way to get a look at the past. Passing them down through families seems to be a lost tradition and we need to bring it back.
My mom went to nursing school when I was young, I believe around two years old. During this time I stayed with my grandma. My grandma is an amazing baker and she shared her love of baking with me.
We baked more batches of peanut butter cookies than I could ever count. They are still my favorite cookies. However, I have to make them with sunflower seed butter now, as I’m allergic to peanuts.
I have such wonderful memories of standing on a red vintage stool, measuring ingredients in Tupperware measuring cups, and using a vintage mixer in my grandma’s kitchen.
This timemade a special bond between my grandma and me, she is where I get some of my love of vintage as well.Plus I’m a pretty good baker, and my grandma gets a lot of the credit for that, much to my husband’s happiness.
My grandma had been asking what things of her’s were special to me. I told her that her Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book was the thing that matter to me the most.
I knew I’d someday get it but she surprised me one year and gave it to me for my birthday. It was a wonderful surprise, well kind of a surprise, she told me awhile before my birthday. She isn’t the best at keeping secrets, but who can blame her, it’s hard to keep happy things to yourself.
I will have to see if my grandma remembersaround what year she got the cookbook but from looking online it seems to be from the ’50s or ’60s. It’s falling apart, it’s full of recipes from magazines and newspapers as well, handwritten notes, and all kinds of other wonderful things. It’s something I will treasure forever and I will also use it, carefully.
The newer cookbook I use the most is a newer version of the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. I use it all the time andseveral recipes are the same and the general feel of the book is the same.
They Hold Special Memories
If you can get vintage cookbooks from family members they can hold special family members and family favorite recipes. It’s a great way to pass down family history.
My story about my grandma’s cookbook is such a good example of the memories and happiness cookbooks can hold.
They Are a History Lesson
Looking at vintage cookbooks is a great look inside of another decide. I collect vintage cookbooks and I love to read them. It’s a very different look at history than we normally get.
Sometimes You Don’t Want to Look At Your Phone
I love Pinterest and online recipes, I even create them but sometimes it’s nice to not have to look at my phone while cooking. I love to just set a cookbook up in front of me and not have to unlock my phone non-stop.
I’m more likely to focus on cooking, which can be very relaxing if I’m not pulling out my phone. It’s nice to put some music on and just focus on what I’m doing.
We spend so much time on our phones all day making some time to be off your phone is a nice break.
There is nothing quite like wearing a vintage apron and baking a vintage recipe from a cookbook. For me it brings memories of growing up playing with vintage toys, baking from vintage cookbooks, and being surrounded by wonderful antiques.
Start Your Own Collection
Interested in starting your own vintage cookbook collection? There are a lot of places you can look to get great vintage cookbooks.
- Ask Family Members- Getting cookbooks from family members is always great because they are a look into your own family’s history.
- Check Local Stores- Thrift stores, antique stores, and used book stores often have really great cookbooks available.
- Look Online- You can check online for vintage cookbooks as well. I have found some great vintage cookbooks on Etsy. You will also find them on eBay.
Make sure you take care of these cookbooks once you get them. You will want to wipe them down gently occasionally to avoid dust especially if you don’t use them often. Also, be careful not to spill on them. I like to use a cookbook stand when using mine to help keep them off the countertop while I’m cooking to keep them cleaner.
If you take care of your vintage cookbooks they will bring you joy for years to come and then you can hopefully pass them down for even more generations to enjoy.
If you have your own vintage cookbook collection share about it in the comments below. Or share some of your favorite memories of cooking.
