9 Vintage Recipes Saved From Church Cookbooks And Family Binders

Before Pinterest boards and viral TikTok recipes, people kept their favorite recipes in handwritten cards, spiral-bound church cookbooks, and old notebooks that were passed on. These old recipes convey the tale of families over the years. They are simple, filling, and made to feed a lot of people. A lot of them may seem simple by today’s standards, but their flavors are eternal, and the memories they hold are even better. Here are nine traditional recipes that have been saved from old pages and community kitchens that you should make again now.

1. Old-Fashioned Chicken and Noodles

This comforting dish was a common recipe in church cookbooks in the Midwest. It was typically served at potlucks and funerals. It’s a cross between a soup and a casserole since it has wide egg noodles and tender stewed chicken in a rich, delicious broth. Traditionally, the noodles are produced at home or sliced thick from dried egg pasta. This recipe has less liquid than chicken noodle soup, so it’s a filling dinner that sticks to your ribs. People often pour it over mashed potatoes or serve it with crusty bread to soak up the flavor.

2. Coca-Cola Cake

Coca-Cola cake is a fudgy, moist dessert with a deep, nostalgic flavor that became popular in Southern community cookbooks. It is made using chocolate cake mix, cola, and marshmallows. The carbonation in the soda makes the batter unexpectedly light, and the icing, which is made with butter, chocolate, cola, and powdered sugar, is poured over the cake while it’s still warm. It’s rich and not too fancy, and it’s great for feeding a lot of people. This famous cake was a must-have at many religious events.

3. Tomato Aspic

Tomato aspic is a savory gelatin mold created with tomato juice, unflavored gelatin, celery, onion, and spices. It used to be thought of as a fancy salad choice. It was commonly served cold with a spoonful of mayonnaise or cottage cheese. Aspic dishes aren’t as popular as they used to be, but this one was a staple at church meals in the South. It has a sour, peppery taste and is surprisingly pleasant. It’s not for everyone nowadays, but it’s a one-of-a-kind vintage dish that you should taste if you want a truly retro experience.

4. Funeral Potatoes

Funeral potatoes are a cheesy, creamy potato dish made with frozen hash browns, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar, sour cream, and a buttery cornflake or cracker topping. They got their peculiar name because they were popular at church basement gatherings after funerals. It’s the kind of dish that never comes home with leftovers since it’s baked until it’s bubbling and golden. This dish is comforting, cheap, and loved by everyone. It pops up at holidays, family reunions, and almost every potluck in between.

5. Watergate Salad

This light green dessert salad has nothing to do with politics, even if it has a name. It was a popular recipe in cookbooks from the 1970s and 1980s. It called for pistachio pudding mix, canned pineapple, micro marshmallows, whipped topping, and chopped almonds. Watergate Salad is sweet, creamy, and strangely delicious. People often put it in bowls at potlucks or next to a slice of ham. This is the kind of no-bake dessert that made church dinners and family reunions special. It’s easy to make and impossible to forget once you’ve had a taste.

6. Chicken Divan

This old-fashioned casserole has layers of cooked chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce that is usually made with mayonnaise and condensed soup. It is then topped with cheese or breadcrumbs and baked until bubbling. Originally, Chicken Divan was a dish served in restaurants, but it became famous through church cookbooks for being an easy, classy meal that used common pantry items. It’s adaptable, filling, and can be changed in any way you like. You can extend it even more by adding rice or spaghetti, and you’ve got a traditional weeknight dinner.

7. 7-Up Salad

This vibrant green mold salad was a sweet-tart favorite at family meals and potlucks. It was made with lemon-lime soda, lime Jell-O, crushed pineapple, cream cheese, and whipped topping. 7-Up Salad was often served in a fancy mold or glass dish. It was a time when gelatin desserts were the main course. It tastes great, is cool and refreshing, and has a creamy, mousse-like texture that even people who don’t like old-fashioned “salads” will enjoy. It’s a fun throwback to old-fashioned kitsch these days.

8. Wacky Cake

This chocolate cake, which doesn’t have eggs, butter, or milk, became famous during wartime rationing and stayed popular because it was easy to make and tasted great. Made with common kitchen items like flour, chocolate, vinegar, and oil, You don’t need a bowl to make Wacky Cake; you can do it directly in the pan. Even though the ingredients are simple, it is moist, soft, and has a strong chocolate flavor. This tried-and-true recipe is still in many family binders since it is easy to make and lasts a long time.

9. Classic Macaroni Salad

This cold side dish can be found in almost every community cookbook and family picnic spread. Elbow macaroni, chopped celery, onions, pickles or relish, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy mayonnaise-based sauce are all part of the original recipe. It’s easy to make and tastes great. It can feed a lot of people and stay good at room temperature. A little mustard or vinegar can make some recipes taste better. Macaroni salad goes with everything from ham to fried chicken and always disappears quickly.