10 Vintage Cookbooks Made By Beloved Brands - Tasting Table

"A character created by the Washburn-Crosby Co. (which soon became General Mills), Betty Crocker was never a real person, but that didn't matter to the people who relied on her cooking know-how to get them through dinner parties. That's why, in 1950, General Mills decided to capitalize on her popularity and publish " Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book." The cookbook was a hit and quickly became a trusted resource for families everywhere."

"Vintage cookbooks are, quite frankly, fascinating. They offer a window into people's diets and cooking habits from decades gone by, and the phrasing and ingredient lists can tell you a lot about the social climate at the time they were published. On top of this, they can also help us understand the brands that used to be popular, and the different products that used to be kitchen staples."

Vintage cookbooks offer insight into historical diets, cooking habits, and the social climate reflected in phrasing and ingredient lists. Branded cookbooks show which products and brands were kitchen staples and illustrate how companies marketed cooking to households. Collecting vintage cookbooks has grown competitive, and many brand-produced volumes remain sought after. Betty Crocker emerged as a manufactured homemaking persona from Washburn-Crosby Co./General Mills and achieved widespread trust; the 1950 Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book became a bestseller, was reissued multiple times, and still contains long-standing favorite recipes like angel food cake and banana whip.

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