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15 tried-and-true recipes from vintage cookbooks

MyHotSouthernMess
Credit: MyHotSouthernMess

From crowd-pleasing casseroles to classic cakes.

From crowd-pleasing casseroles to classic cakes.

Here at Allrecipes, we love a good tried-and-true recipe passed down through the generations. And what better place to find good, old-fashioned recipes than in a retro cookbook? From church and junior league treasures to classics tucked away on grandma's bookshelf, we've compiled 15 of the very best recipes that community members found in vintage cookbooks.

01 of 15

Kim's Buttermilk Spice Cake

Kim's Buttermilk Spice Cake
Credit: Kim

"This spice cake was inspired by a recipe from one of my mom's old cookbooks. It was my great-grandpa's favorite cake, and I used to make it for him all the time. It's a simple cake that's not too sweet and has a rather strong spice flavor. Err on the side of underbaking the cake rather than overbaking, or it'll be dry." —Allrecipes Allstar Kim

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02 of 15

Ham with Honey and Brown Sugar Glaze

A platter of sliced ham with honey and brown sugar glaze, served with fresh orange slices
Credit: Allrecipes / Abbey Littlejohn

"I modified this recipe from a very old cookbook (dated 1890)." —Recipe submitter MIKAZUKI

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03 of 15

Vanilla Wafer Cookies That Are Better Than Storebought

close up view of Vanilla Wafer Cookies on a red plate, with vanilla ice cream in a glass
Credit: Deb C

"This recipe comes from my favorite cookbook from a church. It is simple, easy, inexpensive, and delicious! Not to mention it tastes better than the vanilla wafers you can buy at the store!" —Recipe submitter usmcwifey

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04 of 15

Sugar Cream Pie III

a closeup of sugar cream pie iii
Credit: Teri

"Quick and easy pie adapted from my church's cookbook." —Recipe submitter Teri

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05 of 15

Swiss Steak

A plate of Swiss steak served with a tomatobased sauce over mashed potatoes a fork lifting a piece of the steak
Credit: Allrecipes / Qi Ai

"An old family favorite salvaged from our 30-plus-year-old cookbook. We like this served over egg noodles. I like to increase the tomatoes to a 15 ½-ounce can, and I use a full green pepper and add a teaspoon of paprika." —Recipe submitter Chuck Schmahl

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06 of 15

Christmas Molasses and Ginger Cookies

Christmas Molasses and Ginger Cookies
Credit: Jason May

"I got this recipe out of one of my mother's cookbooks and tried it one Christmas Eve with her. They were amazing! My brother even loved them, and he is the pickiest person I know." —Recipe submitter puzzleperson

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07 of 15

Prune Cake

a prune bundt cake on a white plate
Credit: Windfola

"This was the cake I asked my mother to bake me for my birthday each year. Most people would turn up their noses at any food with prunes in it, but oh are they wrong! This cake is wonderful. When my mother had to go to the nursing home, I found her recipe written in the back of an old cookbook. I was so excited and have been baking it ever since." —Recipe submitter GA Hole In 1 GAL

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08 of 15

Cornflake Chicken Casserole

Cornflake Chicken Casserole
Credit: Christina Wild Aseltine

"This is a quick casserole, especially if you have leftover chicken on hand. I found this in a church cookbook my grandmother gave to me. With a few modifications, I found this easy and delicious!" —Recipe submitter Susanne

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09 of 15

Mama's Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

looking at a tray of a bunch of oatmeal cookies
Credit: wbruni

"These chewy oatmeal cookies are delicious. I recreated this recipe by memory from my childhood. They are so good—everyone who tries them gets hooked! They have a place in every woman's cookbook in my family." —Recipe creator rocksoutforcheese

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10 of 15

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Double chocolate chip cookies on a plate.
Credit: Allrecipes / Victoria Jempty

"This double chocolate chip cookie recipe is an altered version of a recipe from an old cookbook that took 10 years for me to perfect! I have been told to sell these cookies, they are very, very, very, very good!" —Recipe creator ORBAMINK

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11 of 15

River Road Spinach Madeline

River Road Spinach Madeline
Credit: Allrecipes Member

"First published in 1959 in River Road Recipes, the Junior League of Baton Rouge's community cookbook, spinach Madeline remains a favorite side dish in Southern Louisiana. Thick and creamy with a hint of jalapeño heat, it's most at home on holidays next to turkey, cornbread dressing, and green bean casserole." —Recipe submitter Mary Claire Lagroue

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12 of 15

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Slice of Broccoli cheese casserole on blue spatula
Credit: MyHotSouthernMess

"This recipe was the 'birthday dinner' recipe that my husband requested from his mom when he was young. After she passed away, he thought the recipe was lost forever... Until I found it tucked away in one of her old cookbooks and made it for a surprise birthday present last year!" —Recipe submitter Nicole

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13 of 15

Crisp Pickled Green Beans

Two jars of crisp pickled green beans on a cutting board, with a fork removing two green beans from an open jar
Credit: Grant Webster / Food Styling: Annie Probst / Prop Styling: Addelyn Evans

"These pickled green beans turn out very crisp with a wonderful dill flavor, and the red pepper flakes provide a nice punch. This recipe is from my grandmother's cookbook that she passed on to all her grandchildren. It's much better than those that call for cooking the beans first." —Recipe submitter Jani Whitsett

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14 of 15

Beau Monde Seasoning

spice jar with beau monde seasoning mix pouring onto small white plate, spoon and orange towel in background
Credit: Nicole Russell

"I had never heard of beau monde seasoning, but it was called for in dozens of recipes in an old cookbook I found. It originated from a popular spice brand and turns out, it is still a thing. I fell in love. It's great in soup or any savory dish and also as a rub for meat. Because I could only get it online, I decided to make my own." —Recipe creator Nicole Russell

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15 of 15

Latin-Inspired Spicy Cream Chicken Stew

Stew with avocado and sour cream garnish
Credit: Yoly

"My old roommate, who was Latino, gave me this recipe about 8 years ago. Recently I was cleaning out a cookbook and found the recipe tucked away. This is extremely delicious." —Recipe submitter MSHELLZ2U

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