Saturday, July 4, 2026

CHERRY CRUMB COFFEE CAKE

1/4 cup solid shortening 
3/4 cup granulated sugar 
1 large egg 
1/2 cup milk or cream 
1 and 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon salt  

Cream together shortening and granulated sugar. Add egg and beat. Blend in milk or cream. Sift together the 1 and 1/2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour, the baking powder, and the salt. Add to the shortening mixture and blend. Spread the batter in a 9-inch square baking pan which has been rubbed with shortening.  

TOPPING: 1 can (1 lb) unsweetened cherries 1/2 stick butter, melted 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Drain the cherries. Mix together the 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the melted butter and blend. Place the drained cherries on top of the cake. Sprinkle crumb topping over the cherries. Bake cake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until done. 

file photo for reference


Monday, June 29, 2026

THE LATE BOB BARKER'S MEXICAN CHILE CON QUESO

I have absolutely no way to know if this was really the late Bob Barker's recipe. But it sounds good. Click on picture to enlarge for easier reading.

from an old cookbook

 

Saturday, June 27, 2026

CITRUS LATTICE RAISIN-WALNUT PIE

Another old pie recipe probably about my age! Ooops. Did I just say I am old? I have never tasted this pie as I do not like raisins. But it was an old family favorite from my childhood. There was an old country church across from my grandparent's house and I lived next door to my grandparents. There was a huge black walnut tree in front of the church. My grandparents had an agreement with the church leaders that they would keep the walnuts picked up. If you have never helped to gather black walnuts or to crack them and pick out the nut meats, you have no idea what you have missed. Yuck, is the best way to describe the chore. The black outer shell of the nuts does rub right off on your hands. My sister and I hated that job, but we sure did enjoy eating those nuts in cakes, candies, and pies though out the year.


1 cup brown sugar, packed tight
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups raisins
1 1/3 cups cold water
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Pastry enough for a two-crust pie

In a medium saucepan combine the brown sugar with the cornstarch. When combined, stir in the raisins, water, orange juice, lemon juice, orange peel and lemon peel. Over a medium heat cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook 1 more minute stirring the whole time. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the walnuts.

Roll out about half of the pastry dough and use it to line a 9-inch pie pan. Trim to about a half of an inch over the edge. Pour the raisin mixture into the shell. Cut the last half of the dough into strips about a half in wide. Weave the strips over the top of the pie to make a lattice design. Seal and flute the edges. To prevent burning, cover the edge of pie with strips of aluminum boil or a pie shield.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and bake another 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Allow pie to cool before cutting. Serve pie wedges with homemade ice cream or whipped cream, if you choose.

file photo




Friday, June 26, 2026

OLD FASHION CARAMEL CORN

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tbsp vinegar
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp molasses
1/2 tsp salt
unsalted popcorn

Combine the sugar, water, and vinegar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil and boil to the soft ball stage. Add the butter, molasses, and salt and boil to the hard crack stage. Remove from heat and pour immediately over the unsalted popcorn in a large heat-proof bowl. Stir to coat all the popcorn.
file photo

Thursday, June 25, 2026

1949 VANILLA COOKIES RECIPE


click to enlarge for easier reading
My mother loved her Workbasket Magazines and would always be anxiously awaiting the nest one to be in the old rural mailbox. I posted the front of this particular one as it was before the covers were produced in color. My mom and my paternal grandma loved crocheting and made items from many of the patterns in these little books. I always looked for the recipes. I posted this whole page as I thought some of you might like to read the Famous Sweethearts section. 


Saturday, June 20, 2026

BAKED HAMBURGERS WITH SAUCE

This is another old recipe from my childhood. My cousin used to make these, and I thought they were the best hamburgers ever!

2 lbs ground beef
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
4 tbsp vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup chopped onion

Combine the salt and pepper with the ground beef in a large bowl, mixing in well. Form the mixture into patties and place in a large baking pan or dish.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, water, ketchup, and onion. Stir with a whisk to combine well. Pour the mixture over the patties.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 45 minutes.

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Chiffonade Salad and Dressing

This is another of my late mother's clippings from her local daily newspaper in Southern Indiana. To my knowledge, she never made this recipe.



 

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

HOOSIER POOR MAN'S STEAK

1 lb ground beef 
1 cup milk 
1/4 tsp pepper 
1 cup fine saltine cracker crumbs 
1 tsp salt 
1 small onion, finely chopped 
1 can (10 3/4-oz) cream of mushroom soup 
flour 
butter
In a big bowl the morning your plan to use this recipe for supper/dinner, mix the ground beef, milk, pepper, cracker crumbs, salt and onion. Shape into a narrow loaf, cover or wrap and refrigerator for about 8 hours. Remove from refrigerator and slice into 1-inch-thick pieces. Roll pieces in flour and fry in butter until golden. Put the slices in layers in a baking pan and spread the mushroom soup over the top. Bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees.

Guidepost file photo used only for reference

Friday, June 12, 2026

BUTTER GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 chicken breasts (about 3 lb), halved

Melt butter in saucepan. Add green onions, salt, and pepper; cook gently for about 3 minutes. Remove onions from heat and add the lemon juice. Place chicken in a bowl and cover with the sauce. Let stand, stirring occasionally while charcoal is heating up. When the coals are white-hot, brush the grill with fat and arrange 6-inches from the coals. Place chicken breast halves on grill, skin side up, and brush with the remaining sauce. Grill about 30 to 50 minutes, turning every 10 minutes until chicken is thoroughly done; after each turn, brush with remaining sauce. Makes 6 servings.

 

file photo for reference

Thursday, June 11, 2026

GROUND BEEF, CORN, NOODLE CASSEROLE

Gotta love these old fashion recipe instructions! Personally, I like the noodles par boiled before putting them in the casserole. 

1 package (small) uncooked noodles 
1 grated onion, browned 
1 pound hamburger, browned 
1 can tomato soup 
1 can cream style corn 
Cheddar cheese, to taste, grated 
1 can ripe olives, sliced 

Place ingredients in a baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees until heated through.

clipart

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

CORN-SQUASH CASSEROLE

2 cups yellow summer squash 
1/2 cup water 
1 egg 
2/3 cup milk 
1 can corn, cream style 
1/2 cup cracker crumbs 
1/2 tsp seasoned salt 
salt & pepper to taste 
2 tbsp sugar 
 2 tbsp butter 

 Wash and slice squash and cook in 1/2 cup water over medium heat until barely tender. Beat egg and add milk. Spread about 1/3 can of corn in bottom of greased casserole. Add a layer of 1/3 of the squash. Sprinkle on part of the crumbs, seasonings, sugar, and a few dots of butter. Add a few spoons of the egg-milk mixture. Repeat layers until are used. Pour remaining liquid overall. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until puffed and nicely brown. Makes 6 to 8 servings

clipart


Tuesday, June 2, 2026

APPLE PIE FILLING RECIPE FROM MY LATE MOTHER


I love it when I come across recipes in my late mom's handwriting. This was in a little spiral recipe book she sometimes carried with her when she would come to spend the winter with us in Texas.

 

Saturday, May 30, 2026

SALMON LOAF

1 large can pink salmon 
3 egg whites 
2 tbs. lemon juice 
3 egg yolks 
1/2 cup cracker crumbs 
1/2 cup hot milk 
1/2 tsp. salt 
1/4 tsp. pepper 
1/4 tsp. paprika 
 Mix together the salmon, salt, pepper, lemon juice, beaten egg yolks, cracker crumbs, and hot milk. Fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into greased loaf pan. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
File photo

 

Friday, May 29, 2026

BING CHERRY SALAD

Another old clipping from my late mother's shoebox clippings.

 

Monday, May 25, 2026

BARBECUE GREEN BEANS

This is another old recipe from my Southern Indiana childhood.

4 slices bacon, finely cut (chopped)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup catsup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cans French style green beans, drained

Brown bacon and onions in skillet. Add the catsup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer two minutes. Place beans in a casserole dish. Pour the bacon mixture over the top but do not stir! Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

clipart


Saturday, May 23, 2026

HOMEMADE CONEY SAUCE

This is the recipe an old local family-owned restaurant in my childhood hometown used for their coney sauce. When I visited a couple of years ago, the restuarant had closed. I was saddened to see it go. I am in my 60s and remember hearing the story of how I grabbed my mother's vanilla coke when I was a baby and dumped it in her lap at said restaurant. hamburger meat (desired amount) lots of finely chopped celery and onion Brown the above together and add several dashes of soy sauce, 2 pinches of sugar, and 1 can of tomato soup, undiluted. Simmer mixture for at least 30 minutes Stir often to keep from burning. This mixture freezes well.

This file photo reminded me of that sauce.

 

Thursday, May 21, 2026

BEULAH'S BAKED CORN

I love how these old recipes read. "Butter the size of a walnut;" some modern cooks may have no idea what that would be.

1 can corn
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
butter size of a walnut
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tablespoon flour
1 scant teaspoon salt
pepper to taste

Cream butter with sugar, salt, flour, and pepper. Add beaten eggs and milk. Add corn. Bake in a buttered baking dish at 350 degrees about 1/2 hour or until set.
Note: This recipe was from my mom's cousin's wife.
File photo for reference
  


Tuesday, May 19, 2026

ORANGE CAKE WITH LARD AND FLUFFY ORANGE FROSTING

This recipe is from an article in an old farmer's magazine when I was a kid. It was in an article about making wonderful cakes with lard.

2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup lard
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup orange juice (fresh or reconstituted frozen)
1/4 tsp almond extract

Beat egg whites until frothy; gradually beat in the 1/2 cup sugar. Continue beating until stiff and glossy.

In another bowl, stir lard to soften. Add the sifted dry ingredients and the milk. Beat 1 minute at medium speed on electric mixer or 150 vigorous strokes by hand. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl. Add the juice, egg yolks, and the almond extract; beat 1 more minute, scraping bowl constantly. Fold in the egg white mixture.

Divide the batter evenly between two greased and floured 9-inch cake pans or one 9 x 13-inch cake pan. Bake in a moderate (350) oven for 25 to 30 minutes for the round cakes or 30 to 35 minutes for the 9 x 13-inch pan. Remove from oven and cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. Frost with the Fluffy Orange Frosting recipe below.

2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup water
dash of salt

In the top of a double boiler, combine the egg whites, sugar, orange juice concentrate, water, and salt. Beat 1 minute with an electric mixer or rotary beater. Place pan over the bottom pan with its boiling water and beat constantly 7 to 8 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Remove from the heat and beat until of spreading consistency. Frost the orange cake above or use on another favorite cake.

file photo for reference only - not this exact recipe


Monday, May 18, 2026

GUM DROP COOKIES

This is an old recipe that was served at club meetings in Southern Indiana where I was born and raised. Back in the day when ladies attended "club" meetings for everything from sewing to playing bridge, they took refreshments. These were popular cookies at those meetings.

2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
3 cups flour
1 cup broken nut meats
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup butter or shortening
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup gum drops, diced

Cream together the sugar and butter or shortening, add beaten eggs. Sift flour, soda, cream of tartar together and add to creamed mixture. Add the diced gum drop candies and vanilla and nut meats. Drop batter from teaspoon onto lightly greased baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes in a 375-degree oven.

Note: The spiced gum drops are really good in these cookies. Do not use the licorice ones.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

PINEAPPLE DELICIOUS

This is another recipe from my Indiana childhood. We always called it Pineapple Delicious!

20 graham crackers
1 stick oleo
1 cup whipped cream
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
8-oz can crushed pineapple, drained well

Roll crackers to fine crumbs. Put half of them in an ungreased pie pan. Cream butter, add sugar and cinnamon slowly. Add unbeaten egg. Beat mixture well. Whip cream and combine with well-drained pineapple. Add to butter and sugar mixture. Pour into the pie pan. Top with the remaining cracker crumbs. Cool in refrigerator for at least six hours before serving. May be made the day before your occasion.

file photo for reference - not this exact recipe



Thursday, May 14, 2026

SWEET-SOUR PICKLES

This recipe is so old I don't remember anything except is was always around. I never made these pickles myself. My family was small and did not use as many pickles as my mother and grandmother did. 

cucumbers, small or sliced 
2 cups vinegar 
1 cup water 
1 cup sugar 
few mixed pickling spices tied in a bag  
Put cucumbers in a large bowl or a crock, sprinkle with the salt. Cover with boiling water and let set overnight. Next day, drain the water off. Boil the vinegar, water, sugar, and pickling spices. Drop the cucumbers into the hot mixture and bring back to a boil. Fill jars and seal.

file photo


Saturday, May 9, 2026

69 PRIZE WINNING PERSIMMON PUDDING

2 cups persimmon pulp
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup cream
1 tbsp honey

Mix the persimmon pulp and sugar well. Add eggs and soda to the buttermilk. Sift the baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and flour together. Add alternately with the buttermilk mixture. Melt the butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Swirl to coat pan and pour into the pudding mixture along with the cream. Mix in the honey last. Pour into the buttered pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. 

file photo

Friday, May 1, 2026

PERFECT PATIO SALAD

Have had this recipe for years but have no idea why it is called a patio salad. Possibly because it was served outside once patios became popular. This is an old recipe my late mother had for years and I've had for years since. 

2 cups (8-oz) elbow macaroni, uncooked 
3/4 cup clear French dressing 
1/2 cup dairy sour cream 
2 cups fresh broccoli florets 
1 small onion, chopped  
freshly ground black pepper 
1 cup cherry tomatoes 
lettuce leaves to line serving bowl
cherry tomatoes for garnish
lemon wedges for garnish, optional

Prepare macaroni according to the directions on the package. Blend the French dressing with sour cream in a large bowl. Add the drained macaroni, broccoli, onion, and pepper to taste; mix and chill. Line a salad bowl with the lettuce leaves and heap the macaroni salad in the center. Garnish with tomatoes and lemon wedges, if desired.

file clipart for reference



Tuesday, April 28, 2026

OLD FASHION CORN PUDDING

1 can (15 1/4-oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 1/4-oz) cream-style corn
1 cup milk
2 beaten eggs
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup cornmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl combine the corns, milk, eggs, butter and pepper together until blended. Add the cornmeal and stir until moistened.

Pour the corn mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until lightly browned and set in the center.
Serves 8

file photo for reference

Monday, April 27, 2026

MAHOGANY CAKE

This recipe is over 100 years old. As far as I can tell, it is from New Mexico where I lived in the 1960s. It has been updated over the years to add modern ingredients ie instant coffee and modern appliances such as the electric mixer.

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1 2/3 cups water
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon each of baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour an oblong (9 x 13-inches) baking pan.

In a small pan put the cocoa powder, coffee, and water. Stir with a whisk while bringing just to a boil. Whisk until smooth. Let cool.

Beat the butter, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla together in a large bowl with mixer on high speed until well blended. Add the eggs and beat until fluffy. On low speed, beat in cocoa mixture, then the flour just until blended. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack; cool completely.

Dust top with powdered sugar to decorate.

file photo

Saturday, April 25, 2026

HOMEMADE LIME PINEAPPLE SHERBET

This is an old recipe from my late mother's collection.

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 regular cans crushed pineapple
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups ginger ale
2 cups half-and-half cream
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar

Combine the lime juice, crushed pineapple, sugar, and ginger ale. Mix well. Stir in the half-and-half cream, whipping cream, and the sweetened condensed milk. Chill the mixer for 30 minutes in the refrigerator and then pour into the freezer can of your ice cream maker. Follow your ice cream freezer's directions. 

this photo is lime pineapple coconut sherbet
our recipe does not have coconut


Friday, April 24, 2026

APPLE, RAISIN, OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 

1/4 cup granulated sugar 

1 egg 

1 tsp vanilla 

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1/2 tsp salt 

1/4 cup water 

3 cups Oats with Apple, Raisin, and Spice 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add combined flour, baking soda and salt alternately with the water; mix well. Stir in the oats. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Store in a tightly covered container.

file photo for reference only


Thursday, April 23, 2026

HOMEMADE PEACH ICE CREAM

4 cups fresh peach puree
4 cups half and half cream
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Combine peach puree, lemon juice, and sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Add the chilled creams and sweetened condensed milk. Pour the mixture into the freezer can of ice cream freezer and follow your ice cream freezer's directions.

file photo


Wednesday, April 22, 2026

CARAMEL BUTTER NUT CAKE

 This is an old Duncan Hines recipe I have had since I was a young housewife in the 1960s - 1970s.





Tuesday, April 21, 2026

CUBE STEAK HAYSTACKS

This is a recipe I got from Betty Crocker in 1971.

1 package hash browns with onions, cooked according to package directions
2 tablespoons shortening, melted in a large skillet.
6 beef cubed steaks, cook in the melted shortening for 3 to 5 minutes per side over medium heat; remove from skillet.  Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt to season.

Spread 2 teaspoons catsup over the top of each steak.

Top each steak with 1/2 cup of the prepared hash brown potatoes and top each with 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese.

Return the skillet to the heat, cover and cook over low heat for a couple of minutes until cheese melts.
Yield: 6 servings
file photo for reference only


Monday, April 20, 2026

JUDY'S PRIZE-WINNING PERSIMMON PUDDING

Another Southern Indiana recipe.

2 cups persimmon pulp
3 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 stick butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the persimmon pulp, eggs, and sugar; blend together well. Combine the baking soda with the buttermilk; add to the persimmon mixture and blend. Sift together the baking powder, cinnamon, flour, and salt; add to the mixture. Melt the butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan that has been sprayed with a vegetable oil spray. Add the butter, milk, and vanilla to the mixture and blend in well. Pour into the baking pan and bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 1 hour

file photo for reference

Friday, April 17, 2026

HOMEMADE ZUCCHINI RELISH

When I was a young wife and mother living in Indiana during the 70s, I grew lots of zucchini in my garden. This is one of the recipes for preserving them.

10 cups peeled, ground zucchini
4 cups ground onions
5 tablespoons salt
2 1/4 cups vinegar
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon each of nutmeg, dry mustard and turmeric
2 teaspoons celery seed
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 red bell pepper*, chopped fine
1 green bell pepper*, chopped fine

Combine the zucchini, onions, and salt together and let stand overnight. Next morning, drain and rinse with cold water. Combine the mixture with the remaining ingredients and cook for 30 minutes; mixture must be hot. Pour into hot clean jars and seal with hot lids. Makes 7 pints.
file photo for reference



Thursday, April 16, 2026

CHICKEN CASSOULET

This is from a small booklet from Better Homes and Gardens 70 years of favorite recipes published in 1979.

click on photo to enlarge for easier reading


Monday, April 13, 2026

FLOSSY MEXICAN CORNBREAD

one of my old recipes from my old metal recipe box

 

Saturday, April 11, 2026

OMA'S GERMAN POTATO SALAD

This recipe is from an old lady who was a German citizen.

4 lbs potatoes, cooked
1/2 cup diced or chopped onion
1/2 lb bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (save drippings)
4 large, boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
DRESSING:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup bacon drippings (add enough oil to make the above drippings 1/2 cup)
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1 chicken bouillon cube, dissolved in 3 cups water

Peel and slice the cooked potatoes. Sprinkle the diced onion, chopped eggs and crumbled bacon over the potatoes; set aside.
In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, flour, salt, pepper, and the bacon drippings. This mixture will be like paste. Add the vinegar and bouillon mixture. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 or 3 minutes stirring constantly. Add to the potatoes and stir to coat. Let stand at room temperature for about 4 hours before serving.

file photo for reference




Thursday, April 9, 2026

BROWNIE BISCOTTI

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick butter, melted
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
4-oz semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat butter, eggs, and vanilla until mixed.  Reduce speed to low; gradually add the flour mixture and just beat until blended.  Using your hands, knead in the almonds and chocolate until combined.

Divide the dough in half.  On a large ungreased cookie sheet, shape each half into a 12-inch by 3-inch log.  Place logs about 3-inches apart.  Bake logs for 30 minutes at 325 degrees.  Remove from oven and cool on the cookie sheet that is placed on wire racks.

When logs are cool, place on cutting boards and cut each log crosswise, using a serrated knife, into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices.  Using a long metal spatula, place slices, top side up, 1/4-inch apart, on the same cookie sheet.  Bake slices 20 minutes at 325 degrees to dry out.  Remove from oven and cool completely on cookie sheet on wire rack.  The biscotti will harden as it cools.
Yield: 36 cookies
Store the cooled biscotti in a tightly covered container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.  May be kept in the freezer up to 6 months.

I originally got this recipe years ago from an old Good Housekeeping Magazine.  The author said the recipe was an old family favorite her aunt baked for the whole family ever since she could remember.  She said they were dessert cookies at family gatherings and also eaten with morning coffee and afternoon cappuccino.

GOLDEN NOODLE BAKE

This recipe was from an Indianapolis, Indiana department store restaurant when I was young.  

1 lb egg noodles 
4 tbsp butter 
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 /2 cup sour cream 
1 egg, beaten 
2 tbsp sugar 
1/2 tsp salt 
pepper to suit taste 
1/2 cup cornflakes
 8 strips bacon, fried  

Cook the noodles in boiling salted water just until tender. Meanwhile, sauté the onion in the butter until the onion turns clear; remove from the heat. 
Butter a 2-quart casserole dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
Drain the cooked noodles and toss in a large bowl with the sauteed onions and butter. 
In separate bowl mix cottage cheese, sour cream, and the egg. Stir in the sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix into the noodles, mixing until well blended. 
Put the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the cornflakes over the top and bake 5 minutes more or until the cornflakes are toasty brown. To serve, divide into four servings and top each serving with 2 strips of the bacon.

clipart

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

ESKIMO COOKIES

This very old recipe was handwritten on a piece of scrap paper in my late grandmother's old recipe box that I purchased from her estate in the 1970s. I have no idea how long she'd had it or where she got it. I am assuming she copied it down from a local radio program that was popular in our rural community when I was a child. It was a program where neighbors shared recipes, items they wanted to give away, sell, etc. All we have here is a list of the ingredients. There are no instructions for making.

1 1/2 stick butter 
3 T. cocoa 
1/2 t. vanilla 
1 T. water 
2 cup oats 
3/4 cup sugar 

It amazes me the number of recipes I come across in old files that only list ingredients. I guess the cooks from our past did so much cooking and baking that it all just came naturally to them.

clipart


Tuesday, April 7, 2026

KRAUT CAKE AND GLAZE

2/3 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup water
2/3 cup sauerkraut, drained and chopped

Cream sugar and butter. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients. Add alternately with water to egg mixture. Stir in kraut. Turn into 2 greased 8 inch pans. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until done.

Glaze:
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup canned milk
1/2 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla

Cook for 7 minutes and put on cake immediately.

clipart



Saturday, April 4, 2026

TOMATO SOUP MEATLOAF

This recipe was from an old newspaper column in the 1950s in my hometown in Southern Indiana.

1 can tomato soup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs or 2 cups corn flakes crushed
2 lbs. ground beef
2 tsp. chopped parsley
1 egg, slightly beaten
dash pepper

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Shape firmly into a loaf and place in a shallow baking pan. (Thorough mixing and firm shaping will result in a moist, easy-to-slice loaf). Bake at 350 degrees about 1 1/4 hours. For sauce combine 1/4 cup drippings with an additional can of tomato soup, heat and serve over loaf. Makes 8 servings.
file photo

Friday, April 3, 2026

AMISH POTATO SALAD

When asked for her potato salad recipe years ago, the late Amish Cook Elizabeth Coblentz said she didn't have a recipe. She went on to say she just started putting it together and the family always ate it and thought it was good. After being asked often for the recipe, she came up with the following:

2 1/2 lbs potatoes, which have been cooked until tender
6 eggs, hard-boiled and cut-up
1 cup celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups salad dressing (mayo-type)
2 teaspoons yellow prepared mustard
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons salt

Dice potatoes or put through slicer, whichever you prefer. Stir the potatoes, eggs, celery and onion together in a bowl. Then in a separate bowl, stir salad dressing, mustard, vinegar, sugar, milk, and salt together. Pour dressing over the potato mixture and stir together.

file photo for reference only