Manuscript Location

Cornell University, Kroch Library, Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections

Place of Origin

United States

Date of Composition

1790-1850

Description

This book features ninety recipes written in at least two hands. There are also four newspaper clippings pasted on the inside covers. The date 1843 appears in the volume. The eighteenth century start date assigned to the manuscript by the library is likely based on the handwriting styles.

The book contains recipes for stewed eels, pickled walnuts, various desserts (including calf's foot jelly and ice cream), several wines, and mead. The price $3.50 is written next to the title of a recipe for plumb cake. This may have been the selling price for this cake, which is very large, made with three pounds each flour, sugar, and butter, as well as eggs and raisins. Plum cake, or fruitcake, was the standard cake of the day for weddings and other large festive gatherings.