Our Most-Shared Vintage Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

Our Most-Shared Vintage Recipes (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: May 15, 2023

    Check out the vintage recipes that were liked, shared and made the most by Taste of Home readers of every generation.

    1/50

    Sugar Cream Pie

    I absolutely love Indiana sugar cream pie; especially the one that my grandma made for me. Here, we serve it warm or chilled and call it "Hoosier" sugar cream pie. —Laura Kipper, Westfield, Indiana

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    2/50

    Taste of Home

    Classic French Onion Soup

    Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah

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    3/50

    Amish Sugar Cookies

    These easy-to-make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I've passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri

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    4/50

    Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole

    This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois

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    5/50

    Creamy Grape Salad

    Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy grape salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan

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    6/50

    Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

    After trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy vanilla buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado

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    7/50

    Chicken and Dumplings

    Perfect for fall nights, my simple version of comforting chicken and dumplings is speedy, low in fat and a delicious one-dish meal. —Nancy Tuck, Elk Falls, Kansas

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    8/50

    Sour Cream Pound Cake

    Because I'm our town's postmaster, I can bake only in my spare time. I especially enjoy making desserts such as this one. It tastes amazing as is, or tuck it under ice cream and chocolate syrup like a hot fudge sundae! —Karen Conrad, East Troy, Wisconsin

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    9/50

    Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes

    Take the chill off any blustery day and make something special to accompany meaty entrees. This is the best scalloped potatoes recipe ever, and my family loves when I serve it. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

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    10/50

    Butter Pecan Fudge

    Toasted pecans add a nutty crunch to this creamy fudge, perfect for holiday giving. People always seem to rave about its wonderful caramel flavor. —Pam Smith, Alta Loma, California

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    11/50

    Lemonade Icebox Pie

    You will detect a definite lemonade flavor in this refreshing lemon icebox pie. High and fluffy, this dessert has a creamy smooth consistency that we really appreciate. It's the dessert that came to mind immediately when I put together my favorite summer meal. —Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia

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    12/50

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad

    Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

    13/50

    Homemade Potato Salad

    This homemade potato salad recipe doesn't have many ingredients, so it isn't as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama made it the way her mother did, and that's the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn't one of the best-tasting potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

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    14/50

    Classic Chocolate Cake

    If you need to learn how to make chocolate cake from scratch, this easy homemade chocolate cake recipe is a perfect place to start. It appeared on a can of Hershey's cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it, and I've been making it ever since. —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California

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    15/50

    Old-Fashioned Gingersnaps

    I discovered this recipe many years ago, and it's been a favorite among our family and friends ever since. Gingersnaps are timeless—a classic holiday cookie that's welcome year-round. —Francis Stoops, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

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    16/50

    Taste of Home

    Chicken Noodle Casserole

    Everyone who tries this comforting cheesy chicken casserole asks for the recipe. It's so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I'm cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas

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    17/50

    Taste of Home

    Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding

    This comforting dessert is a wonderful way to end any meal. As a girl, I always waited eagerly for the first heavenly bite. Today, my husband likes to top his with a scoop of ice cream. —Sandra Melnychenko, Grandview, Manitoba

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    18/50

    Mamaw Emily's Strawberry Cake

    My husband loved his mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky

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    19/50

    Amish Baked Oatmeal

    The first time I had this treat was at a bed-and-breakfast in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. To me, it tasted just like a big warm-from-the-oven oatmeal cookie! —Colleen Butler, Inwood, West Virginia

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    20/50

    Slow-Cooker Chuck Roast

    My husband and I like chuck roast recipes, so this slow-cooker chuck roast recipe is terrific. You'll also love how flavorful and tender this comforting beef chuck roast turns out. —Bette McCumber, Schenectady, New York

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    21/50

    Banana Pudding

    I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

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    22/50

    Shoofly Cupcakes

    These were my grandmother's specialty. To keep them from disappearing too quickly, she used to store them out of sight. —Beth Adams, Jacksonville, Florida

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    23/50

    Taste of Home

    Classic Chicken Potpie

    Our neighbors and a friend from back home are always after me to make "those yummy potpies". That's all the encouragement I need, since we really like 'em, too! —Ada May Smith, Citrus Springs, Florida.

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    24/50

    Vanilla Meringue Cookies

    These sweet little swirls are light as can be. They're all you need after a big, special dinner. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    25/50

    Taste of Home

    Hearty Vegetable Soup

    A friend gave me the idea to use V8 juice in vegetable soup because it provides more flavor. My best vegetable soup recipe is perfect to prepare on a crisp autumn afternoon. —Janice Steinmetz, Somers, Connecticut

    26/50

    Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each year for my birthday. It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is never enough—it's better than all the other carrot cakes I've tried! —Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania

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    27/50

    Taste of Home

    Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

    My mother insisted that my grandmother write down one recipe for her when Mom got married in 1942: the how to make peanut butter cookies from scratch recipe. That was a real effort because Grandma was a traditional pioneer-type cook who used a little of this or that until it felt right. This treasured recipe is the only one she ever wrote down! —Janet Hall, Clinton, Wisconsin

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    28/50

    Sugar-Glazed Ham

    This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty golden brown coating—just like Grandma used to make. The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar which adds a tangy flavor to this glazed ham recipe. Be prepared to serve seconds! —Carol Strong Battle, Heathville, Virginia

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    29/50

    Aunt Marion's Fruit Salad Dessert

    Aunt Marion, my namesake, is like a grandma to me. She gave me this luscious salad recipe, which goes to all our family reunions, hunt club suppers and snowmobile club picnics...and I go home with no leftovers! —Marion LaTourette, Honesdale, Pennsylvania

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    30/50

    Down East Blueberry Buckle

    This buckle won a contest at my daughter’s college. The prize was four lobsters, but the real reward was the smile on our daughter’s face. —Dianne van der Veen, Plymouth, Massachusetts

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    31/50

    Aunt Lou's Fresh Apple Cake

    My Great-Aunt Lou made a luscious fresh apple cake recipe that became a family tradition. My mom makes it for our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks. —Cristy King, Scott Depot, West Virginia

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    32/50

    Taste of Home

    Tuna Mushroom Casserole

    I love to serve this dressed-up version of a tuna casserole. The green beans add nice texture, color and flavor. The first time I made this dish, my uncle asked for seconds even though tuna casseroles are not usually his favorite.—Jone Furlong, Santa Rosa, California

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    33/50

    Italian Sprinkle Cookies

    Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies take some time, but, believe me, they are well worth it! My husband and I used to operate an Italian American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations. —Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York

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    34/50

    Taste of Home

    Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

    This old-fashioned banana cream pie recipe is full of flavor. Because it uses instant pudding, this no-bake dessert is ready in just minutes. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington

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    35/50

    Amish Breakfast Casserole

    We enjoyed hearty breakfast casseroles during a visit to an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the women told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it a bit to create this version that my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana

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    36/50

    Hot Fudge Cake

    Here's a wonderful way to top off a great meal—a rich chocolaty cake that's not overly sweet. Mom served it with a scoop of ice cream or cream poured over. I'd always have room for a serving of Hot Fudge Cake. —Vera Reid, Laramie, Wyoming

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    37/50

    Cabbage Roll Casserole

    I layer cabbage with tomato sauce and ground beef lasagna-style to create a hearty casserole that tastes like cabbage rolls but without all the work. —Doreen Martin, Kitimat, British Columbia

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    38/50

    TMB Studio

    Lemon Chiffon Cake

    This moist, airy lemon chiffon cake was my dad's favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, but whenever I make this dessert my family is thrilled! —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington

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    39/50

    Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie

    This German chocolate pecan pie combines the ingredients everyone loves in its classic cake cousin. It's so silky and smooth, you won't be able to put your fork down. —Anna Jones, Coppell, Texas

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    40/50

    Moist Chocolate Cake

    This moist chocolate cake recipe with coffee reminds me of my grandmother because it was one of her specialties. I bake it often for family parties, and it always brings back fond memories. The cake is light and airy with a delicious chocolate taste. This recipe is a keeper! —Patricia Kreitz, Richland, Pennsylvania

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    41/50

    Family-Pleasing Sloppy Joes

    My grandma gave this recipe to me years ago, but I made a few changes to give this yummy supper more pizzazz. —Jill Zosel, Seattle, Washington

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    42/50

    Swedish Creme

    This thick and creamy dessert is my interpretation of my mother’s recipe for Swedish krem. It has just a hint of almond flavor and looks spectacular with bright red berries on top. Serve it in glasses to match the occasion. —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota

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    43/50

    Taste of Home

    Potluck Banana Cake

    I found this recipe more than five years ago and have been making it for family gatherings ever since. The coffee-flavored frosting complements the moist banana cake. —Kathy Hoffman, Topton, Pennsylvania

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    44/50

    Chunky Apple Cake

    After taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California

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    45/50

    American Lasagna

    My family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

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    46/50

    Taste of Home

    Peach Bavarian

    Fruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey

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    47/50

    Scottish Shortbread Cookies

    This simple three-ingredient shortbread cookie recipe makes wonderfully rich, tender cookies. Serve them with fresh berries of the season for a nice, light dessert. You'll get miles of smiles when friends see these at an afternoon tea or a bridal shower. —Marlene Hellickson, Big Bear City, California

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    48/50

    Mom's Meat Loaf

    Mom made the best meat loaf, and now I do too. When I first met my husband, he wasn't a meat loaf guy, but this recipe won him over. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas

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    49/50

    Pistachio Pudding Cake

    Everyone who's ever tried this moist, one-of-a-kind pistachio pudding cake can't believe it uses a mix. The dessert is perfect for St. Patrick's Day—and you won't need the luck of the Irish to whip it up! —Suzanne Winkhart, Bolivar, Ohio

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    50/50

    Pineapple Orange Cake

    This is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina

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    Originally Published: April 16, 2019

    Our Most-Shared Vintage Recipes (52)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    Our Most-Shared Vintage Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    How do people come up with original recipes? ›

    Here's what I find useful:
    1. Try cooking techniques you've never tried before. Make them up if you have to!
    2. Try ingredients or genres of food you've never tried before. ...
    3. Eat at restaurants that inspire you. ...
    4. Try recreating recipes from chefs that inspire you. ...
    5. Cook with a friend.
    Feb 18, 2021

    Where can I find the best recipes? ›

    2024's Best Recipe Websites: Our Picks
    1. Minimalist Baker, one of the best recipe blogs, is your go-to guide for recipes as simple as they are delicious, making it perfect for anyone who loves to eat well but doesn't have hours to spend in the kitchen.
    2. Smitten Kitchen is where complexity meets simplicity.
    Apr 2, 2024

    What meals should everyone know how do you cook? ›

    17 Dishes Every Home Cook Should Know How to Make, According to Chefs
    1. 01 of 17. Eggs. Victor Protasio. ...
    2. 02 of 17. Rice. Diana Chistruga. ...
    3. 03 of 17. Roast Chicken. Julia Hartbeck. ...
    4. 04 of 17. Bolognese. Photo and Styling by Julia Gartland. ...
    5. 05 of 17. Baked Fish. Maxwell Cozzi. ...
    6. 06 of 17. Fresh Pasta. ...
    7. 07 of 17. Steak. ...
    8. 08 of 17. French Fries.
    Mar 11, 2024

    What is the oldest food we still eat? ›

    First found in a tomb in Ancient Egypt, honey is about 5,500 years old. Revered in ancient Egypt, honey remains edible over long periods. In 2015, while excavating tombs in Egypt, the archaeologists found about 3000-year-old honey that was fully edible.

    What is the oldest dish we still eat? ›

    The World's 10 Oldest Dishes And Where They Are Today
    • Indian curry, circa 2200-2500 B.C. ...
    • Pancakes, circa 11650 B.C. ...
    • Linzer Torte, circa 1653. ...
    • Tamales, circa 5000 B.C. ...
    • Burgers, circa 100 century A.D. ...
    • Mesopotamian Stew, circa 2140 B.C., and bone broth, circa 400 B.C. ...
    • Rice dishes, circa 4530 B.C. ...
    • Beer, circa 3500 B.C.
    Sep 2, 2023

    Who made the first recipe? ›

    The earliest known written recipes date to 1730 BC and were recorded on cuneiform tablets found in Mesopotamia. Other early written recipes date from approximately 1600 BC and come from an Akkadian tablet from southern Babylonia. There are also works in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting the preparation of food.

    What was the original meal? ›

    As for what these early meals actually were, it probably consisted of some type of grain like ancient barley, wheat, rice, or peas, and fruit like figs, which have been cultivated as early as 11,400 years ago. And of course, just like before, anything else they might have found or hunted that could be eaten.

    Did our ancestors cook their food? ›

    A new study, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, suggests that early humans first cooked food around 780,000 years ago. Before now, the earliest evidence of cooked food was around 170,000 years ago, with early hom*o sapiens and Neanderthals using fire to cook vegetables and meat.

    Who has the best food on earth? ›

    • Italy. #1 in Has great food. #15 in Best Countries Overall. ...
    • Spain. #2 in Has great food. #17 in Best Countries Overall. ...
    • Mexico. #3 in Has great food. #33 in Best Countries Overall. ...
    • France. #4 in Has great food. ...
    • Greece. #5 in Has great food. ...
    • Thailand. #6 in Has great food. ...
    • Turkey. #7 in Has great food. ...
    • Portugal. #8 in Has great food.

    What is the number 1 best cuisine? ›

    Leading the pack, Italy stands out as the best cuisine in the world. Next up are Japan and Greece. France takes 8th place, behind Portugal, Mexico and Indonesia.

    What is the number one rule of cooking? ›

    1. Read the recipe. Of all the important advice out there about cooking, this by far has to be the number 1 rule of cooking: read your recipe completely before getting started. This may seem like a mundane task (especially when you're excited dive in!), but you'll be so thankful you took the time to do it!

    What is the most basic meal to cook? ›

    Here are a few ideas for simple meals you can cook:
    • Spaghetti with marinara sauce: Boil spaghetti noodles and heat up store-bought or homemade marinara sauce. ...
    • Stir-fried vegetables with rice: Sauté a mix of your favorite vegetables in a hot pan with oil and soy sauce.
    Jan 5, 2023

    What are 5 foods that went from the Old World to the New World? ›

    By way of crops, the Old World introduced the Western Hemisphere to bananas, grapes, oranges, peaches, grains, and olives. They also contributed luxuries such as honey, sugar, and coffee.

    What are five traditional food? ›

    5 Traditional recipes you need to try
    • Traditional biltong samp and beans.
    • Potjiekos pot cabbage stew.
    • Tripe-stuffed steamed bread.
    • Umqombothi.
    • Beef stew with umhluzi and pap.
    Sep 21, 2018

    What food has the biggest impact on the Old World? ›

    The Old World received other plants and animals from the New World. Many of these exchanges had positive impacts, but the impact of some exchanges was negative. Corn, or maize, is one of the most important foods the Old World received from the New World.

    What desserts came from the Old World? ›

    English sweets included many types of cakes, custards, and fritters such as funnel cake. They used strawberries, apples, figs, raisins, currants and almonds. They also made cheese-based sweets including cheesecake. A large number of English cookbooks have been found and some date back to the late 1300's.

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