Elizabeth Josephine Craig (16 February 1883 – 7 June 1980) was a notable Scottish home economist, cookery writer and journalist. (Image courtesy of www.britishfoodinamerica.com) Elizabeth wrote over 40 cookery books during her 97 years! She first began writing cookery books after the first World War and then continued on until 1980 - an impressive five decades! Elizabeth starting cooking at the young age of 6, and also began collecting various recipes from the age of 12. Due to this…

Elizabeth Josephine Craig (16 February 1883 – 7 June 1980) was a notable Scottish home economist, cookery writer and journalist. (Image courtesy of www.britishfoodinamerica.com) Elizabeth wrote over 40 cookery books during her 97 years! She first began writing cookery books after the first World War and then continued on until 1980 - an impressive five decades! Elizabeth starting cooking at the young age of 6, and also began collecting various recipes from the age of 12. Due to this…

With St Patrick's Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to get into the spirit and feature an Irish recipe! This recipe comes from the 1965 edition of The Scottish and Irish Baking Book : Ginger & Walnut Scones 1/2 lb / 226.7g flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 oz / 56.6g margarine 1 oz / 28g castor sugar 2 oz /56.6g chopped preserved ginger 1 oz / 28g chopped walnuts 1 egg milk to mix Sieve the dry ingredients, and cut and rub in the margarine. Add the sugar, chopped preserved…

With St Patrick's Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to get into the spirit and feature an Irish recipe! This recipe comes from the 1965 edition of The Scottish and Irish Baking Book : Ginger & Walnut Scones 1/2 lb / 226.7g flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 oz / 56.6g margarine 1 oz / 28g castor sugar 2 oz /56.6g chopped preserved ginger 1 oz / 28g chopped walnuts 1 egg milk to mix Sieve the dry ingredients, and cut and rub in the margarine. Add the sugar, chopped preserved…

This very delicious recipe comes from the 1975 edition of 'Candy Recipes and other Confections' by May B. Van Arsdale and Rush Parrish Casa Emellos. This book was compiled from recipe leaflets from the 1940's. Brown Sugar Fudge Large Recipe Brown Sugar, 1 cup Granulated sugar, 1 cup Milk, 2/3 cup Chocolate, 2 squares (2 oz. / 56g) Butter, 2 tablespoons Vanilla, 1 teaspoon Small Recipe Brown sugar, ½ cup Granulated sugar, ½ cup Milk, ½ cup Chocolate, 1 squares (1 oz. /28g) Butter, 1…

This very delicious recipe comes from the 1975 edition of 'Candy Recipes and other Confections' by May B. Van Arsdale and Rush Parrish Casa Emellos. This book was compiled from recipe leaflets from the 1940's. Brown Sugar Fudge Large Recipe Brown Sugar, 1 cup Granulated sugar, 1 cup Milk, 2/3 cup Chocolate, 2 squares (2 oz. / 56g) Butter, 2 tablespoons Vanilla, 1 teaspoon Small Recipe Brown sugar, ½ cup Granulated sugar, ½ cup Milk, ½ cup Chocolate, 1 squares (1 oz. /28g) Butter, 1…

This Valentines Cake is truly delicious as it includes a mouth-watering Strawberry crème au beurre icing. This fabulous recipe comes from a 1976 recipe book called Woman’s Realm Cake Icing by Christine France. Spoil your Valentine or yourself with this 'retro' bake! Retro Valentines Cake 1 quantity Genoese sponge mixture 1 1/2 quantities Strawberry crème au beurre 175g fresh strawberries 1 (25cm) heart-shaped or round cake board 75g plain dessert chocolate Strawberry Crème Au Beurre (1…

The second in the Vintage Valentine's baking series is this delicious cake from Marguerite Patten's 'Cake Icing & Decorating' book dating from 1965. Valentine Cake First Cake: 2 eggs pinc salt 2 oz. castor sugar [56g] 1 packet banana flavoured cornflour [from research I gauge 50g, use banana essence] 1/2 oz. cornflour [14g] Second Cake: 2 eggs pinch salt 2 oz. castor sugar [56g] 1 packet strawberry flavoured cornflour [from research I gauge 50g, use strawberry essence] 1/2 oz. cornflour…

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and today I’m featuring this pretty no-bake cake from a very delicious vintage recipe book: Cadbury’s Chocolate Cookery. (All you chocoholics out there, more about this book will follow at another time!) Chocolate Crumble Cake (for variation to make a Valentine Cake, see below) ½ lb. sweet broken biscuits (which make include corn flakes or a similar ingredient) Vanilla Essence 2 ozs. butter or margarine 1 oz. sugar 1 tablespoon corn syrup 1 oz. Bournville…

The fifth in the series comes from a 1963 edition of a Pillsbury Family Cook Book: Cherry-Date Holiday Balls 2 eggs, we'll beaten 1 cup sugar 1 cup chopped nuts 1 cup chopped dates 1/2 cup packaged flaked coconut 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon salt 36 candied cherries Oven 350 degrees F. (180 degrees C) Yield: 36 balls Combine eggs, sugar, nuts, dates, coconut, almond and vanilla extracts and salt. Place in buttered 8-inch (20cm) square pan. Bake at 350…

Vintage Christmas Recipe Series #4 - 'Cooky' Christmas Tree This recipe comes from the 1945 edition of the Woman's Home Companion Cook Book : Cooky Christmas Tree Prepare 2 recipes of vanilla rolled cookies. Roll out 1 1/2cm thick. Cut out 8 star-shaped cookies in graduated sizes, the first a 20cm star, the second a 17cm and so on down to a 3cm star. Cut out 16 small round cookies, 2 to be used between each 2 stars. Cut a small round hole in the center of each cooky (cookie) except the 3cm…

Vintage Christmas Recipe Series #4 - 'Cooky' Christmas Tree This recipe comes from the 1945 edition of the Woman's Home Companion Cook Book : Cooky Christmas Tree Prepare 2 recipes of vanilla rolled cookies. Roll out 1 1/2cm thick. Cut out 8 star-shaped cookies in graduated sizes, the first a 20cm star, the second a 17cm and so on down to a 3cm star. Cut out 16 small round cookies, 2 to be used between each 2 stars. Cut a small round hole in the center of each cooky (cookie) except the 3cm…

This festive recipe comes from the Woman's Own Book of Cake Decorating & Cake Making (1966): Vintage Christmas Recipe Series #3 - Yule Log Ingredients for Log: 3 eggs 3 oz. (85g) castor sugar 1 tsp Vanilla essence 2 ½ oz. (42g) plain flour 1 tbsp. cocoa 1 tbsp. warm water Ingredients for Filling & Icing: 4 oz. (114g) butter 8 oz. (226g) icing sugar 1 tbsp. cocoa Grease and line a Swiss roll tin approx. 12” x 9”. Whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla essence until thick, light and fluffy. Fold in…

This festive recipe comes from the Woman's Own Book of Cake Decorating & Cake Making (1966): Vintage Christmas Recipe Series #3 - Yule Log Ingredients for Log: 3 eggs 3 oz. (85g) castor sugar 1 tsp Vanilla essence 2 ½ oz. (42g) plain flour 1 tbsp. cocoa 1 tbsp. warm water Ingredients for Filling & Icing: 4 oz. (114g) butter 8 oz. (226g) icing sugar 1 tbsp. cocoa Grease and line a Swiss roll tin approx. 12” x 9”. Whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla essence until thick, light and fluffy. Fold in…

This vintage recipe comes from the 1950 edition of the Culinary Arts Institute - Encyclopedic Cookbook. This is a real treasure trove of fabulous recipes : Bohemian Christmas Twist 1 cake yeast ¼ cup lukewarm water 1 cup milk ½ cup sugar ¼ cup butter 2 eggs or 4 yolks Grated rind of 1 lemon 1/8 tsp mace 1 tsp salt 4 ¼ cups sifted flour ½ cup raisins ½ cup chopped blanched almonds 1 recipe Coffee Cake Icing Soften yeast in lukewarm water. Scald milk and add sugar and butter. Cool to lukewarm…

Vintage Recipe - Christmas Cake