This book is different from The Little House Cookbook, compiled by Barbara M. Walker, which shares recipes mentioned in the Little House books. This book was the result of finding Laura’s “home-made cookbook, waterlogged and wrinkled” “among reams of the yellowed papers that are a witness to her writing life” (p. vi).

Her cookbook was in the form of a scrapbook, which I enjoyed since I did mine that way as well. But hers was literally made of scraps. It contains her owned penned recipes, “clippings from newspaper food columns or magazines,” meal ideas, “cooking advice from her mother…and daughter,” and even a tip about setting colors in cloth to avoid fading.

This cookbook doesn’t include the cooking advice or tips, but it does include several of Laura’s recipes, photos of Rocky Ridge farm, where Laura and Almanzo lived the bulk of their adult lives, by Leslie A. Kelly, and some commentary by Laura biographer William Anderson. I enjoyed seeing the photos of Laura’s home and learning a bit more about Almanzo.

The recipes are primarily good old American cooking – meat loaf, chicken pie, chicken and dumplings, various side dishes, breads, desserts and beverages – with a few “adventurous” foreign-influenced dishes. Some of the entrees are not what we would call heart-healthy today.

But I have a few marked that I want to try, as well as a few from the different sections. The recipe she shared when asked for a favorite was her gingerbread, which I’d like to try some time, as well as Lemon Spice Puffs, Lemon Sticks, Whole Wheat Bread, Scalloped Corn Kansas, Farmhouse Stew, Gingernuts, and Applesauce Cake. The only one I have made so far is the Apple Upside Down Cake in her honor for her birthday. I think I’ll leave the Liver Loaf, Chilled Meat Loaf, Glazed Beets, Dandelion Soup, and Lima Puree to others, though.

Reading her recipes while seeing photos of her home and hearing tidbits about her life was like a little visit with her. I think any Laura fan would like this book as well as anyone interested in vintage recipes.

There are some really interesting recipes here. I even tried to cook some of them. Really helps you get an image of what they ate back in the pioneer days.

Great

The book features a solid collection of recipes, along with some really interesting facts about the Wilder family. However, the facts weren't very cohesive the the recipes they were featured next to, so it felt a little random.

Bought this at the Mansfield home bookshop. Has pictures and info about the home, along with recipes. Going to try her signature Gingerbread recipe first.

The best thing about this book (and why I gave it three stars) are the pictures of Laura's Ozark home, Rocky Ridge Farm, and a lot of history that goes along with it. The recipes are just okay. Nothing very unique and some are downright boring. The only interesting recipe is for Dandelion Soup, which uses dandelion leaves. There aren't a lot of recipes either, so it is a quick read.

I never plan to make any of the recipes from this book, but I still adored it. It is packed with memories and photographs from Laura's adult life at Rocky Ridge. A must-read for Little House fans!

Good information. Can't wait to try the recipes.

We got this when we toured Laura and Almanzo's house in Misssouri. Lovely pictures of their farm, and fun recipes too!

Found some recipes I will try.

I enjoyed the extra bits of info on the family but I would have enjoyed it more had they included the original recipe as well as the updated versions.

I love Laura Ingalls Wilder but does anyone really want to eat hardtack?

Give us the custard recipe from Farmer Boy Laura!