Grandma's Wartime Baking Book: World War II and the Way We Baked

Rating:
Summary: A fun cookbook and a bit of history
Review: The previous reviewer did a wonderful job in summarizing the chapters of this book so I will refrain from repeating and instead will say that this book is a "good read".

There are those out there that like to occasionally peruse cookbooks (and you know who you are) but in this case there is more to think about than whether you have all the ingredients on hand. It is interesting to contemplate how much WWI and WWII affected our culture and how adaptive our forebearers were when shortages occurred. There are plenty of examples of propaganda, ration cards and excerpts from women's magazines to keep one up at night or dawdling at the kitchen table over coffee.

Enjoy!
ps -- I have made the cocoa icing and the marshmellow topped cake and both came out well.

Rating:
Summary: Classy book
Review: This book, discusses food prep, rationing and offers a historical prospective to foods prepared and served during WWII. Rationing is well explained here. I became interested in WWII cooking after I read that diabetes, obesity etc levels DECREASED during the war years. I feel this is due in part to the rationing of fats and sugers. Grandma's Wartime Baking shares baking recipes that are lower in fat and sugar. Lemon, Huckleberry, and bread puddings are included here. The cookie section offers lower sugar treats such as Gingersnaps, Apple Butter, Carrot, and Prune cookies. The oatmeal icebox cookies are good as are the butterscotch Bars. 18 Cookie recipes are in the book. Also another factor is the lack of time many women experienced- a result of women going to work. Most of the recipes are not time comsuming. The muffin chapter is impressive. Muffins and quick breads were the ideal solution for busy moms in the morning. Applesauce muffins, Popovers, Orange Marmalade Bread and Quick Cheese Bread are only a few of the offerings. Other chapters include Celebration cakes, (wedding cake is here) Cakes, Cobblers, Pies, and on and on. The cover jacket is charming, with a WWII look to it and red checkered edging. 5 stars from me.