The Original Fannie Farmer 1896 Cookbook

Take a step back in time with The Original Fannie Farmer Cookbook, the official how-to-cook-everything book from the esteemed Boston Cooking School. First published in 1896, this cookbook is notable for being the first of its kind to take a rigorous, almost scientific approach to recipe writing, presenting the reader with careful step-by-step instructions that are taken for granted in modern cookbooks. 

Worth owning for its historical value alone, The Original Fannie Farmer Cookbook presents a unique window into the culinary world of the late 19th Century; you’ll see how some tastes and cooking techniques have changed drastically over the last 150 years…and how some have hardly changed at all! In fact, many of the hundreds of recipes in this book are as delicious and useful as ever. Although you may not need to know how to prepare coals for heating for your stove, the classic recipes for nearly every occasion imaginable are a delightful source of inspiration and education. With dozens of chapters organized by ingredient and dish type, this book leaves no culinary stone unturned. Some favorites cover:

• Biscuits, breakfast cakes, and shortcakes


• Meats, including beef, veal, poultry, game, mutton, and lamb


• Sauces for fish and meat


• Fancy cakes and confections


• Canning and drying fruits and vegetables


• Puddings


• Vegetables


• Ices, ice creams, and other frozen desserts

You’ll also find fascinating general information on the preparation and treatment of a huge range of ingredients, as well as charts and tables detailing their nutritional values. One of the most important books in the history of American cuisine, The Original Fannie Farmer Cookbook is a must-have for chefs, homemakers, and anyone interested in the history of food in America.