This Charming 1894 Minneapolis Cookbook Will Make You Smile
I just discovered something absolutely delightful – “The Common Sense Cook Book” from 1894, written by Lillian C. Masterman and published in Minneapolis!
What makes this cookbook special isn’t just its age – it’s filled with practical wisdom, local history, and even quirky vintage advertisements that give us a glimpse into Minneapolis life in the 1890s.
What I love most about this cookbook is its straightforward approach to home cooking.
With 1,000 “known and tried” recipes, it promises those “minute directions without which success in preparing dishes is for many unattainable.” Perfect for anyone looking to master traditional baking and home cooking from scratch!
The bread recipes alone are incredible – from classic Milk Bread to unique recipes like Squash Bread and Bean Bread (yes, really!).
And speaking of scratch cooking, wait until you see the preserving section – detailed instructions for everything from cucumber pickles to citron preserves, using techniques our great-grandmothers would have known.
Click Here To Download the Cookbook!
For anyone passionate about vintage cookbooks, historic recipes, or Minneapolis history, this is a fascinating piece of culinary heritage.
Between the charming advertisements for local businesses (including the Weinhold Drug Co. who distributed it) and the practical home cooking advice, it’s a wonderful window into how people cooked and ate in 1890s Minnesota.