80 Disgusting Vintage Recipes That Prove The Dishes Of The Past Were Really Bizarre And Unhinged

We often like to look back on the past with a sense of nostalgia, remembering it as a time when everything felt a little better. People seemed kinder, music more soulful, and food somehow tastier. But was it really all that great?

To find out, we’re stepping several decades back with Wendy, the creator of Vintage Cookbook Gore on Instagram. She shares recipes from her personal collection of vintage cookbooks, some dating as far back as the 1940s. And while a few of them still look surprisingly appealing, plenty of others raise an eyebrow or two.

The photos themselves are undeniably beautiful. Whether the meals would hold up today is another question entirely. Scroll down to see them all, and let us know if there are any you’d be willing to try.

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Hollandaise Sauce On Asparagus, Raisin Brandy Sauce On Ham From “Sanyo Microwave Cooking”, 1985

Vintage recipes featuring glazed ham with raisins, creamed asparagus, and a vintage lemon sauce on a decorative table setting.

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80 Interesting Vintage Recipes That Prove The Dishes Of The Past Were Really Bizarre

Hollandaise Sauce On Asparagus, Raisin Brandy Sauce On Ham From “Sanyo Microwave Cooking”, 1985

Gift-Wrapped Cake From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Main Dish Noodle Pudding From “Southern Living - The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

Sunday Supper Ring From “Southern Living Cookbook Library - The Low Cost Cookbook”, 1972

“Choo Choo” Birthday Train From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Tuna And Salmon Mold From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 10”, 1966

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨-𝘦-𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 (From “Tasty Treasures”, 1972)

Chicken Breasts Supreme From “Better Homes And Gardens Meat Cook Book”, 1970

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Veal-Roast Confetti, Duchess Brioche From “Good Housekeeping’s Suppertime Cookbook”, 1967

Hoosier Peanut Bars From “Pillsbury’s Best Butter Cookie Cookbook”, 1960

Swedish Meatballs And Brown Beans From “Better Homes And Gardens Meals With A Foreign Flair”, 1963

Nippy Cheese Soufflé From “Pyrex Prize Recipes”, 1953

Three-Fruit Garland From “Ladies’ Home Journal Cookbook”, 1960

Chicken Loaves: Hot With Curry Sauce, Cold And Jellied From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

Beef Wellington From “My Way To A Man’s Heart”, 1973

Strawberry Cream Puff Cake From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

Oven-Barbecued Ribs From “Better Homes And Gardens Make-Ahead Cook Book”, 1971

Peppermint Wafers From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

A Whale Of A Melon From “How To Garnish”, 1994

Flower Tarts From “Good Housekeeping’s Ten P.m. Cook Book”, 1958

Vermont Turkey Festooned With Sausages From “Ladies’ Home Journal Cookbook”, 1960

Savory Peas From “Birds Eye Cook Book”, 1941

Onion Tart From “My Way To A Man’s Heart”, 1973

Spicy Shrimp Luncheon Mold And Quick-Bread Cheese Loaf From “Hunt’s Complete Tomato Sauce Cookbook”, 1976

Chocolate Sodas From “Betty Crocker’s Family Dinners In A Hurry”, 1970

Sole Newburg From “Sensible Eating Can Be Delicious”, 1976

Crummy From “Tasty Treasures”, 1972

Autumn Chrysanthemum Cake From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Creamed Ham, Eggs, And Mushrooms In A Chafing Dish From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

Fudgy Caramel Apples From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Squash And Apple Bake From “The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library”, 1971

Prune-Pineapple Dessert, California Prunes In Claret, And Prune Whip From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cooking Vol. 9”, 1966

Macaroon Custard Tarts From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

Strawberry Preserves From “Calorie Saving Recipes For Foods Sweetened Without Sugar”, 1951

Mocha Cheesecake Saronno From “Cook With Love”, 1979

Eggplant Parmigiana From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 3”, 1972

Upside-Down Ham-Yam Loaf From “Southern Living Cookbook Library - The Low Cost Cookbook”, 1972

Stuffed Apples From “The Garden Club Holiday Cookbook”, 1971

Roasted Turkey With Individual Cranberry Molds From “Southern Living Cookbook Library - The Poultry Cookbook”, 1971

Pickles From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 10”, 1972

Bittersweet Chocolate Frosting For A White Layer Cake From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

Five-Fruit Sherbet, Rainbow Sherbet Parfait, Guava Sherbet From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 10”, 1966

Deep-Dish Cherry Pie With Shortcake Crust From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

Quiche Lorraine With Swiss Cheese From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 10”, 1966

Coconut Cream Pie From “A Picture Treasury Of Good Cooking”, 1953

Skinke Med Madeira, FLødebudding Med Frugtsauce, Rødkaal From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 4”, 1966

From “New Ways With Ice Cream”, 1949

Stuffed Baked Bass From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery, Vol. 1”, 1966

Cake And Ice Cream Pie From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Ham-Asparagus Shortcake, Baked Chicken Puff, Party-Going Pork Chops From “Cooking With Condensed Soups”, 1950s

Tomatoes And Blue-Cheese Dip From “Better Homes And Gardens Barbecue Book”, 1956

Dried Fruit Medley From “The Sandwich Cookbook”, 1980

Blueberry Cream Pie From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

From “Southern Living - The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

Bologna Barbecue From “Good Housekeeping’s Cooking For Company”, 1971

Alsatian Choucroute Garnie From “Southern Living - The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

Ginger Pear Pie From “American Woman All-Time Favorites Cookbook”, 1978

Irish Stew From “Sanyo Microwave Cooking”, 1985

Cherry Tarts From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966

Ice Cream Squares From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Planked T-Bone Steak From “Southern Living - The Meats Cookbook”, 1975

Raspberry Snow Pie From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

Maple-Syrup Cake From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery, Vol. 7”, 1966

Frozen Peaches From “Calorie Saving Recipes For Foods Sweetened Without Sugar”, 1951

Dried Fruit Compote, Dried Apple Cake From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 4”, 1966

Oven Porcupines From “The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library”, 1971

Hansel And Gretel’s House, Sailboat Cake, Camelot Knight’s Cake, And Doll Cake From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966

Autumn Soup From “The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library”, 1971

A New Twist From “How To Garnish”, 1994

Sweet-Sour Pork From “Better Homes And Gardens Meals With A Foreign Flair”, 1963

𝙏𝙧𝙮 𝙖 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙨𝙢ø𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙧ø𝙙 From “The General Foods Kitchen Cookbook”, 1959

Fig Chewies From “Pillsbury’s Best Butter Cookie Cookbook”, 1960

Beef And Okra Soup From “Ladies’ Home Journal Cookbook”, 1960

Apple Candy Pie From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972

Chocolate Thumbprints From “Ideals Cookie Cookbook”, 1977

A Touch Of Color From “How To Garnish”, 1994

Liver With Piquant Sauce, Creamed Peas And Potatoes, Pineapple-Tomato Vinaigrette From “Betty Crocker’s Family Dinners In A Hurry”, 1970

Apricot Cheesecake From “The Dessert Lovers’ Handbook”, 1973