Betty Crocker Lost Recipes: Beloved Vintage Recipes for Today's Kitchen by Betty Crocker

Betty Crocker Lost Recipes: Beloved Vintage Recipes for Today's Kitchen Reviews

• 
  Carlene Inspired

  Okay, I am impressed. I bought this book as a gift for a family member who LOVES cook books and now I am making another order for a copy of it for myself. It's such a clever, kitschy book. Sure, the recipes can be found just about anywhere and there aren't really as many as you'd expect there to be in a Betty Crocker book, but the rest of what the book has to offer is what makes it worthwhile. The housewife tips are fantastic, the old style pages really make it feel like older recipes, and the notes before each recipe, along with their modern updates, are fun to have.
  
  It's more coffee table book than cookbook, but that's perfect for me.
• 
  Ann-Marie "Cookie M."

  Nice trip down memory lane. Most of these recipes weren't exactly lost for me. I have managed to keep my mom's and my old Betty Crocker cookbooks in pretty good shape.
  A few of these recipes were new or updates for me.
• 
  Ivonne Rovira

  The title pretty much says it all: recipes dating back to the first Betty Crocker cookbook, released in 1950, through the 1990s’ update. The 1950
  Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook has proven so popular that it’s back in print, with fans including Woman’s Day magazine and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle, who swears by it. (The Betty Crocker Cookbook has its very own Wikipedia page, by the way.) A few recipes in Betty Crocker Lost Recipes: Beloved Vintage Recipes for Today’s Kitchen predate that revered tome, but nearly all have been spruced up to make them more accessible to today’s harried cooks (e.g., microwave, canned ingredients, slow cooker, less sugar, salt and fat).
  
  If you subscribe to Saveur or Bon Appétit, this cookbook is not for you; for the rest of us — whether due to nostalgia or convenience — you’ll find plenty to like. This cookbook is an extra bargain since it’s free on Kindle Unlimited.
  
• 
  Beth Cato

  I'm glad for the existence of Betty Crocker Lost Recipes, even if most of the recipes aren't to my taste. There are a lot of people out there who do love vintage cookbooks, and so many of those books were cheaply made or have endured decades of use and abuse. This cookbook gathers favorite recipes for every meal and snack of the day--plus handy Betty Crocker kitchen and party-organizing tips--and so preserves them for new generations to enjoy. There are some pictures and vintage illustrations throughout, but I wish there were photos to go along with every recipe.
• 
  Jill

  3.5 stars
• 
  Virginia

  Perhaps I am out of touch but none of these recipes seemed lost, except for the cheese sandwich loaf which really needs to stay lost. I was disappointed. Most of these were recipes that were and still are used. I was looking for something more obscure and food history.
• 
  Lora

  I think I’ll just keep using my old vintage Betty Crocker cookbook. The couple of recipes I tried I didn’t really care for. Unlike my old Betty Crocker which has great recipes.
• 
  Carolyn Page

  You know what, this is it. I'm adding this to my wishlist. I want this cookbook. It is everything from my childhood, plus adjacent dishes I'm sure I'll love. Swiss steak, meatloaf, stuffed peppers. I also really loved that recipe for Schaumtorte!
  
  To me, this is classic American cuisine. Comfy, yummy, simple, savory sweet. And very midwestern--that Schaumtorte I've never heard of anywhere outside of Swissconsin. I enjoyed the sections on lighting things on fire (crepes Suzette!) and the little tidbits of homemaking advice from older editions of the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbooks.
• 
  Lynnie

  This was a cute cookbook- vintage recipes, many included the stories behind them and the year the recipe appeared in a Betty Crocker cookbook. However, many of these recipes were lost for a reason (like Cheese Sandwich Loaf- ewww); I can't imagine cooking them by choice.
  
  This would be a particularly fun book if you were throwing a vintage theme party, but I didn't find a lot of useful recipes that I actually want to make. Still, there are a few (Molasses Crinkle cookies? Yes please!) & I'm so glad I don't have to wear high heels & pearls to make them.
• 
  Connie

  Really enjoyed this... found a few old favorites from my mom's old Betty. Lots of nice basic staples, all collected in one place. I have a number of these recipes scattered around in various other cookbooks so this one may replace a few vintage ones that are hanging around getting little use (particularly for some basic bread, cake, and cookie recipes).
• 
  Nic Carnes

  I doubt I’ll be making much from this book but it’s super cute. I love the little stories about each recipe and the layout of this book is really nice.
• 
  Beth

  I'm a sucker for vintage cookbooks, so when I saw this one on Prime Reading, I decided to borrow it. Hard copies are always better for cookbooks, in my opinion, but this was quite fun (and yes, I really do read all the recipes!).
  
  Many of these recipes are from the mid-century era, and while so many of those recipes were horrific (some of those Jell-O salads were true abominations), there are some real classics here that brought back fond memories of childhood. Some are excellent enough to make today. I will always love overnight layer salad!
  
  There is a section for a Retro Tiki Party, which is relevant to my interests. I also loved the section on flaming dishes and desserts, with the most puzzling one being the "flaming cabbage," in which you hollow out a cabbage, put a can of Sterno in it, and have guests toast their own sausages. Fun!
  
  The classic tips are the best, though. My personal favorite for the '50s housewife was, "If you feel too tired, lie down on the floor on your back, put your hands above your head, close your eyes, and relax for 3 to 5 minutes." I imagine Mr. '50s Husband coming home from a hard day at the office and thinking his wife had been murdered.
  
  This was a genuinely fun little read that I didn't know I needed!
• 
  Linda

  I loved this book, I have an orange edition of the Betty Crocker book from the 70's. It was the supplemental book for my High School Home Ec Cooking class. It's still part a valued part of my cooking collection.
  
  This volume traces the history of what came out of our kitchens bringing back things that have fallen out of favor because of prep methods or newer, more exciting dishes. Something for everyone to love here, I was delighted to see a salad made with Romaine Lettuce, Mandarin Oranges and a sugared almond topping. I made it several times when I was starting to preside over my own kitchen. It seemed so elegant and exotic. With any luck these recipes will be found again, I have my eye on a Carmel Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake.
  
  Great for a beginner or experienced hand in the kitchen or someone interested in America's cultural history.
  
• 
  Laura

  This is a fantastic cookbook! It's got a retro vibe, but the tips and backstory (Betty through the ages) are really fun. Also, most of the food is very family friendly, made from easy to get ingredients, and the cooking times are accurate. Also, the book includes full nutritional information! My favorite chapter was appetizers - this is where you can really have fun and go a little retro. People loved the olive balls and generally love deviled eggs. The crockpot schnitzel recipe is also good (there is actually a similar version in the Williams Sonoma crockpot cookbook, but this one is a little easier). There are some good breakfast casseroles here, and a few fun deserts.
  
  This is worth checking out if you like to cook or entertain. There are some great theme party ideas and menus in here, and while some of the recipes are dated, a lot of them have stood the test of time.
• 
  Tina

  A charming look at Betty Crocker through the ages! Part history, part vintage housekeeping tips, but mainly, a delightful collection of classic recipes. Enjoy a look at appetizers, main dishes, breads, salads and desserts that have pleased American families for decades. Includes four themed party suggestions: Merry Kitchmas, Retro Tiki, Time for Tea and Fire Obsession (Flambé!) that will inspire and give you a chuckle. While you're laughing, enjoy those vintage "Wisdom from Betty" tips! Prepare to roll your eyes when you read "Think pleasant thoughts while working and a chore will become a 'labor of love.'" Okay, Betty... *eye roll* I just want to eat banana cream pie.
• 
  Andrea

  In terms of finding new recipes to try, this book was not super helpful. But in terms of food history or maybe just Betty Crocker history – this was a fun read. The recipes have been updated to be easily reproducible by a modern cook, with tweaks made to ingredient lists (can sizes have changed a lot over the years) or cooking method as needed. But what really shines here are the photos, facts and excerpts from earlier Betty Crocker cookbooks. Really interesting exploration of how things have changed over the years.
• 
  Jenny

  Reading this cookbook was a little like sitting at the table when I was growing up. This is a compilation (and update) of some popular retro recipes, things like stuffed peppers, beef stroganoff, and cheese balls. There were added elements like notes on why the recipe was included or ways to adjust the recipe, and some very funny ways to throw kitschy parties with some of the recipes. I’m going to make some apple sauce donuts and Swedish limpa rye bread first.
• 
  Anne Wingate

  It's Baaack!
  
  They brought back my favorite hushpuppy recipe! It makes the best hushpuppies in the world and they will forever spoil you for any other hushpuppies in the world. The cookbook is worth the price for that recipe alone but it is full of other good things. Buy it at once and cook from it tonight. Enjoy!
• 
  Sydney

  Do cookbooks count if you, for some reason, read them cover-to-cover? I really loved this and I’m looking forward to cooking my way through it. I particularly enjoyed the articles about types of kitschy and retro parties I can throw. The whole book just reminded me of something that would be lying around my grandma’s house. 10/10 for nostalgia.
• 
  Cherei

  Oldies but goodies!
  
  Found a few forgotten dishes from my childhood! Surprised at the simplicity of the majority of the recipes. Most can easily be made at home with little planning.
• 
  Laura-Lee Rahn

  It's hard not to like Betty Crocker and when she (they) go back into history there is definitely something to like.
  
  This cookbook of tried and true recipes is Betty Crocker's (the company, not the person) salute to kitchens and cooks of the past. I was happy to browse through the recipes that made me very hungry. I didn't actually make any of the recipes, but I had an ebook version from my local library predominantly to see if it was something I would like to spend my money on to buy a (paper) hardcopy since I find an ebook useless in my kitchen. (Gets my tablet all full of flour and greasy fingerprints)
  
  What I was disappointed in is that it didn't have enough of the past and didn't go far enough back into the past. It focused mostly on the 1940s and 1950s and I would have enjoyed something that immersed me even deeper into that time. But it was definitely enjoyable to see how a party was thrown back then, how women's lives revolved around the kitchen and the kitchen (and consequently the mom) was the heart and heartbeat of the family. (They are referred to as the "GOOD old days" for a reason.)
  
  I should also tell you that since Betty Crocker prides itself on relevance and accuracy, things like measurements and ways of doing things are updated and included so that you can take a trip to the kitchen of the past in your kitchen of today.
  
  I hope this review helps and if you happen to get this book and try one of the cookie recipes you know where to find me! 🍪 🙋‍♀️ 🇨🇦
  
  Sincerely, Laura-Lee (Was Here)
• 
  Onceinabluemoon

  This just put a smile on my face, for the nostalgia alone this is five stars! This takes me back to my childhood, so many of the main menus were straight out of my mother's kitchen. My mother's cherished English popover recipe, is nothing but a Betty Crocker copy! I totally enjoyed this, I have little desire to make these recipes, but I sure did enjoy the book and helpful wifey hints from the 50s, brush your hair and put on your lipstick, stand up straight and put a smile on your face when you serve that healthy delicious dinner, cheers everyone, bottoms up with your Manhattans and martinis 😬
• 
  Sandy Chapman

  Like taking a trip down memory road!
  
  Growing up in the 60's and early 70's, we always had a Betty Crocker Cookbook in the house. I was fascinated by the idea of the ideal family dinner. Couldn't imagine getting dressed up for dinner or Mom putting on makeup? Can't wait to try out some of the recipes!
• 
  Naomi

  Ugggg...this book epitomized EVERYTHING I hate about Betty Crocker! Simpleton recipes with nothing unique and the introduction at the beginning made me want to gag. Have women not come any further than Betty Crocker? I knew I wanted to gag at the Orange Tea Mix. The only two I really walked away with were the meatloaf and Swiss Steak. What I won't suffer through for a freakin' reading challenge!
• 
  Deborah Wilcher

  Nothing like it!
  
  Betty Crocker with my and my Mothers lost recipes, who could ask for anything more? New cook books come an gooooooo. Betty Crocker is always my go to first. I love the older big book much better than the new (so called healthy new version), it's missing many of my favorite recipes. So this book helps a lot!!!!!