80 Interesting Vintage Recipes That Prove The Dishes Of The Past Were Really Bizarre

We often like to look back on the past with a sense of nostalgia, remembering it as a time when everything felt a little better. People seemed kinder, music more soulful, and food somehow tastier. But was it really all that great?

To find out, we’re stepping several decades back with Wendy, the creator of Vintage Cookbook Gore on Instagram. She shares recipes from her personal collection of vintage cookbooks, some dating as far back as the 1940s. And while a few of them still look surprisingly appealing, plenty of others raise an eyebrow or two.

The photos themselves are undeniably beautiful. Whether the meals would hold up today is another question entirely. Scroll down to see them all, and let us know if there are any you’d be willing to try.

#1 Gift-Wrapped Cake From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

80 Interesting Vintage Recipes That Prove The Dishes Of The Past Were Really Bizarre

80 Interesting Vintage Recipes That Prove The Dishes Of The Past Were Really Bizarre

#1 Gift-Wrapped Cake From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#2 Main Dish Noodle Pudding From “Southern Living – The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

#3 Sunday Supper Ring From “Southern Living Cookbook Library – The Low Cost Cookbook”, 1972

#4 Tuna And Salmon Mold From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 10”, 1966

#5 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨-𝘦-𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 (From “Tasty Treasures”, 1972)

#6 Chicken Breasts Supreme From “Better Homes And Gardens Meat Cook Book”, 1970

#7 Pineapple Upside-Down Cake From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#8 Veal-Roast Confetti, Duchess Brioche From “Good Housekeeping’s Suppertime Cookbook”, 1967

#9 Hollandaise Sauce On Asparagus, Raisin Brandy Sauce On Ham From “Sanyo Microwave Cooking”, 1985

#10 Hoosier Peanut Bars From “Pillsbury’s Best Butter Cookie Cookbook”, 1960

#11 Swedish Meatballs And Brown Beans From “Better Homes And Gardens Meals With A Foreign Flair”, 1963

#12 Nippy Cheese Soufflé From “Pyrex Prize Recipes”, 1953

#13 Three-Fruit Garland From “Ladies’ Home Journal Cookbook”, 1960

#14 Chicken Loaves: Hot With Curry Sauce, Cold And Jellied From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

#15 Beef Wellington From “My Way To A Man’s Heart”, 1973

#16 Strawberry Cream Puff Cake From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

#17 Oven-Barbecued Ribs From “Better Homes And Gardens Make-Ahead Cook Book”, 1971

#18 Peppermint Wafers From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#19 A Whale Of A Melon From “How To Garnish”, 1994

#20 Flower Tarts From “Good Housekeeping’s Ten P.m. Cook Book”, 1958

#21 “Choo Choo” Birthday Train From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#22 Vermont Turkey Festooned With Sausages From “Ladies’ Home Journal Cookbook”, 1960

#23 Savory Peas From “Birds Eye Cook Book”, 1941

#24 Onion Tart From “My Way To A Man’s Heart”, 1973

#25 Spicy Shrimp Luncheon Mold And Quick-Bread Cheese Loaf From “Hunt’s Complete Tomato Sauce Cookbook”, 1976

#26 Chocolate Sodas From “Betty Crocker’s Family Dinners In A Hurry”, 1970

#27 Sole Newburg From “Sensible Eating Can Be Delicious”, 1976

#28 Crummy From “Tasty Treasures”, 1972

#29 Autumn Chrysanthemum Cake From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#30 Creamed Ham, Eggs, And Mushrooms In A Chafing Dish From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

#31 Fudgy Caramel Apples From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#32 Squash And Apple Bake From “The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library”, 1971

#33 Prune-Pineapple Dessert, California Prunes In Claret, And Prune Whip From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cooking Vol. 9”, 1966

#34 Macaroon Custard Tarts From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

#35 Strawberry Preserves From “Calorie Saving Recipes For Foods Sweetened Without Sugar”, 1951

#36 Mocha Cheesecake Saronno From “Cook With Love”, 1979

#37 Eggplant Parmigiana From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 3”, 1972

#38 Upside-Down Ham-Yam Loaf From “Southern Living Cookbook Library – The Low Cost Cookbook”, 1972

#39 Stuffed Apples From “The Garden Club Holiday Cookbook”, 1971

#40 Roasted Turkey With Individual Cranberry Molds From “Southern Living Cookbook Library – The Poultry Cookbook”, 1971

#41 Pickles From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 10”, 1972

#42 Bittersweet Chocolate Frosting For A White Layer Cake From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

#43 Five-Fruit Sherbet, Rainbow Sherbet Parfait, Guava Sherbet From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 10”, 1966

#44 Deep-Dish Cherry Pie With Shortcake Crust From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

#45 Quiche Lorraine With Swiss Cheese From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 10”, 1966

#46 Coconut Cream Pie From “A Picture Treasury Of Good Cooking”, 1953

#47 Skinke Med Madeira, FLødebudding Med Frugtsauce, Rødkaal From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 4”, 1966

#48 From “New Ways With Ice Cream”, 1949

#49 Stuffed Baked Bass From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery, Vol. 1”, 1966

#50 Cake And Ice Cream Pie From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#51 Ham-Asparagus Shortcake, Baked Chicken Puff, Party-Going Pork Chops From “Cooking With Condensed Soups”, 1950s

#52 Tomatoes And Blue-Cheese Dip From “Better Homes And Gardens Barbecue Book”, 1956

#53 Dried Fruit Medley From “The Sandwich Cookbook”, 1980

#54 Blueberry Cream Pie From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

#55 From “Southern Living – The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

#56 Bologna Barbecue From “Good Housekeeping’s Cooking For Company”, 1971

#57 Alsatian Choucroute Garnie From “Southern Living – The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

#58 Ginger Pear Pie From “American Woman All-Time Favorites Cookbook”, 1978

#59 Irish Stew From “Sanyo Microwave Cooking”, 1985

#60 Cherry Tarts From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

#61 Ice Cream Squares From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#62 Planked T-Bone Steak From “Southern Living – The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

#63 Raspberry Snow Pie From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

#64 Maple-Syrup Cake From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery, Vol. 7”, 1966

#65 Frozen Peaches From “Calorie Saving Recipes For Foods Sweetened Without Sugar”, 1951

#66 Dried Fruit Compote, Dried Apple Cake From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 4”, 1966

#67 Oven Porcupines From “The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library”, 1971

#68 Hansel And Gretel’s House, Sailboat Cake, Camelot Knight’s Cake, And Doll Cake From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

#69 Autumn Soup From “The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library”, 1971

#70 A New Twist From “How To Garnish”, 1994

#71 Sweet-Sour Pork From “Better Homes And Gardens Meals With A Foreign Flair”, 1963

#72 𝙏𝙧𝙮 𝙖 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙨𝙢ø𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙧ø𝙙 From “The General Foods Kitchen Cookbook”, 1959

#73 Fig Chewies From “Pillsbury’s Best Butter Cookie Cookbook”, 1960

#74 Beef And Okra Soup From “Ladies’ Home Journal Cookbook”, 1960

#75 Apple Candy Pie From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

#76 Chocolate Thumbprints From “Ideals Cookie Cookbook”, 1977

#77 A Touch Of Color From “How To Garnish”, 1994

#78 Liver With Piquant Sauce, Creamed Peas And Potatoes, Pineapple-Tomato Vinaigrette From “Betty Crocker’s Family Dinners In A Hurry”, 1970

#79 Apricot Cheesecake From “The Dessert Lovers’ Handbook”, 1973