VINTAGE VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERTS 💘 1950s, 60s, & 80s Recipes!

[@Julies-in-a-mood]

You are inspiring me to make a vintage V-Day dessert recipe for my monthly dinner group. We’ve been meeting for 27 years this April!

[@dianaarmitage512]

Yes, you should do it!

[@lizzi437]

Yes! A dessert from 27 years ago???

[@alexandrakennedy2000]

A dinner group sounds so fun!

[@cooking_the_books]

Your dinner group sounds wonderful! ❤

[@keturahpadgette1093]

I've used the brownie pie recipe for decades. We aren't that big on nuts in brownies, so I add chocolate chips instead. Sometimes, I bake the batter in mini cast iron skillets and make them into skillet brownie sundaes. My now adult kids ask for it every time they come home to visit.

[@cooking_the_books]

I'll have to try it in a cast iron skillet next time! 😋

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

Vintage Valentine's Deserts is perfect for me because I haven't had a Valentine since 2005!!! LOL That's almost Vintage,...

[@apostately3384]

Congratulations on getting sponsored! Watching your videos is like hanging with my cool nerdy friend who knows a few things about cooking different than I do. I love your enthusiasm and sense of adventure. And I love how you share all of your collections with us, the books and the kitchen wares. Thanks for the happy down time at the end of my day 🩷

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! ❤

[@SusanB7982]

I call those cherry walnut bars. My recipe is exactly the same but I use walnuts. I make a glaze out of the cherry juice and powered sugar and drizzle over them. It decorates them up a little bit. 🍒

[@annettefournier9655]

That strawberry heart mousse is very similar to a recipe found on the back of the strawberry jello package in the late 60s early 70s my mom made it all the time. Put it in a ring mold and she set it in the freezer but the recipe set it in the fridge. Used cool whip instead of whipping the cream. It was called Strawberry Bavarian. My mom was a terrible cook. This was a huge hit!

[@cooking_the_books]

It tasted SO GOOD! 😋

[@MargaretUIUC]

Back in the early 70s, when I was in college in Portland, Oregon, it was a "thing" to go to a certain restaurant at the Portland airport to get Eskimo Fudge Delight. It was a slab of brownie pie topped with vanilla ice cream and covered with hot fudge sauce. So good, though I doubt I could eat it now--I'd probably die.

[@renegadetwinkie3832]

Dude that is a cool mixer!!!!!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! I love it. So many cool features.

[@JimsKitschKitchen]

Wow a sponsor that is absolutely fabulous!!!!! Happy Valentine’s Day buddy ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ you light up my life!!!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you!! Hope you have a sweet Valentine's Day! 💝

[@Angelina14799]

Red is my favorite color, and I have fond memories of those old fashioned little Valentine’s Day cards we would give each other at school. So, I love Valentine’s Day treats. ❤❤❤

[@exomake_mehorololo]

I love all these vintage recipes 😊 I don't know why but all the recipes always sound good to me. I'm not a picky eater at all but a lot of modern recipes I see online or on YT always seem to contain a million ingredients, odd or difficult to get ingredients or overly complicated to make.

[@cooking_the_books]

I totally understand! I love it when I can find a recipe that uses ingredients I already have on hand all the time.

[@juliatepe5760]

I agree. I'm going to invest in the offset spatula😅

[@sugarfree4118]

As for KZbin or online recipes stick to traditional cooking. People did not use many ingredients 100 years ago, but used wholesome food. I like to watch recipes in foreign languages and then translate measurements through Google translate. It is close to authentic and it is fun.

[@OkieJammer2736]

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS ON 40K+ subscribers. SO well-deserved!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! ❤

[@dianaarmitage512]

You hit this one outta the park! I wish I was your neighbor so you could share your extras - lol!! 😂💞❤ Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you!! Happy Valentine's Day! ❤

[@karinberonius8799]

A Happy Valentine's to you too!

[@ArabianLady]

Hi @CookingTheBooks , This is great! Love these ideas! Is it weird that I was happy to see you using Factor just so I knew you were giving yourself a break now and then? You work so hard and put so much effort into meals and videos. It just made me happy to see you giving yourself a cooking break! Happy Valentines Day!😊 💓

[@cooking_the_books]

Not weird at all and very much appreciated. ❤

[@Elysian777]

Scanning your channel is like stepping back in time. I have had so many of these recipes. Amazing. I have a family full of great cooks and bakers.

[@DonutDocP]

They all look fantastic (though I'd probably add a light dusting of powdered sugar to the bars). A thought on the strawberry hearts: Freeze to set the shape, then remove/plate, and put in the fridge so they (in theory) hold the shape, yet defrost to the mousse-like texture. Though I'm totally down for strawberry ice cream texture.

[@loriloristuff]

I made early valentines for my adult children. Everybody got chicken pot pies! I made the filling last night in the crockpot, and made the pies in those aluminum storage containers from Dollar Tree. After baking and cooling, I put the lids on and crimped the edges. I added a bottle of wine, and TADA, lucky adult kids!

[@Soniawithani]

My husband and I often watch your videos while we are having dinner, his thought was: how did they get that jello out of a mold, they didn’t have silicon then… my thought: OMG that’s the sunshine pattern, it’s my favorite. 🤷🏼‍♀️ priorities!!

[@suzanneleonard5485]

The brownie pie my husband would love. We celebrate Valentine's and our anniversary at the same time. This year is our 50th!

[@cooking_the_books]

Happy 50th Anniversary! ❤

[@GilMeansJoy]

This was super cute. I don't have strong feelings about the format, so I support whatever is easier and more fun for you.

[@mizsuzee]

That chocolate pie looked so good. I might add a teaspoon of instant coffee crystals to it for a "mocha pie"!

[@cooking_the_books]

That would be a lovely addition.

[@MilwaukeeWoman]

You inspired me to dig into my mother-in-law's old cookbooks! I was so excited to find a 1974 Jello brand cookbook! The format with the different books focused on a minor holiday was great. I liked that they were from different decades.

[@cooking_the_books]

I love a good Jello cookbook!

[@juliez4944]

I loved this sweet little valentine's tribute! I have to say I was also 1 of those people that made the French cheese sandwiches, and absolutely loved them. So different and yummy with soup!

[@cooking_the_books]

So glad the sandwiches were a hit! I love it when people try out the recipes I share. 😊

[@Jess-fp2wf]

All of these recipes look so good! Personally, community cookbooks are my favorite and I love finding them at yard sales and library sales. They remind me of alllll the food I grew up eating at every church potluck I went to growing up 😂

[@dianaw.571]

We make a dessert similar to the "strawberry fluff" hearts. It uses the same ingredients and includes cubed angel food cake mixed in and chilled. So good. The Pillsbury pamphlet cookbooks made holiday versions including Valentine's Day. Wish I still had my collection of them.

[@peneloperose2252]

Firstly, I love Valentine's Day! I have since I was a little kid. I loved giving Valentine's Day cards and candy to my classmates as a child. I have just always thought that it was such a sweet day. Secondly, I have had the brownie pie before, but I don't think that it was from that cookbook. My mom was never into Southern Living, so I doubt she would have had the cookbook. Finally, I think that I would love the cherry coconut bars. I have actually had other cherry coconut desserts before and I love the flavor combo.

[@christinesmith7810]

Happy Valentine’s Day ❤ I hope you have someone special to celebrate with

[@kaytiej8311]

Love the format. Was fun to have a change.

[@mollysmith6055]

Fun video, Anna! The first recipe would be so easy to change to gluten free so that I could make it with my grandkids. A little dusting of powdered sugar would be pretty on top of that too. The little heart molds would be fun too and I actually have some vintage aluminum heart molds to make it with. This is going on the list, I even have the strawberries in the freezer already. Thank you for the comparison, I'll be freezing them before unmolding for sure. It looks similar to the strawberry dessert my mom would make for my birthday. I'll have to send you that recipe for strawberry season. (It was from our newspaper's 'homemaker service' in 1970.) All those recipes looked great, thank you for selecting and filming them to share with us.

[@laurac5451]

Folks if you are watching on tv you can hit like it helps the youtube creators

[@rebeccao8895]

I enjoyed the multi-decade format. ♥️

[@wanderingteacup39]

I just made the little heart shaped cakes that “Ma used to make” from the Little House on the Prairie cookbook for Valentines. I fell in love with this recipe scene in the book series as a kid and was delighted when I finally got to make them as a child. As an adult I now realize, they’re a bit like a scone and benefit from a little homemade simple drizzle or jam.

[@cooking_the_books]

That's so neat! Did you get the recipe from the Little House cookbook? I have a copy but haven't looked through it in a while.

[@jenniferhutter9333]

Lol 3 for 3 Each one of these desserts were made by my Mom. I dare say they were her favorites for a time. But I don't think she ever tried putting the mousse in the freezer - too bad I think she would have liked it!

[@cooking_the_books]

I love this! ☺

[@katebowers8107]

I found your channel and I’ve really been enjoying it… I’m contemplating making a jello mold dessert for next Friday!

[@cooking_the_books]

Hello and WELCOME! Glad to have you here. ❤

[@katebowers8107]

You could just freeze, unmold, and allow to warm up to refrigerator temp before serving.

[@cooking_the_books]

That's probably what I'll do next time...and there will be a next time! The pink fluff/hearts were so delicious.

[@adrianstevens656]

Happy for you! I am excited that you got a sponsor for part of your video, Anna!🎉

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! 😃

[@nathynatram3405]

I am happy to find a channel where vintage cooking books are used as inspiration because they never go out of style. Besides, it's like studying English. I'm from Mexico. all the best!

[@bettywales6874]

I like the concept of a variety of different "takes" on a valentine's dish. You could really play with that, maybe with different decades, or different types of freezer desserts for a summer video.

[@eathomelive]

Yay! You got a sponsor! I am so happy for you. I am always so excited to watch my favorite KZbinrs grow and become more successful.

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you for saying this! I was nervous about how people would respond, but so far it's been overwhelmingly positive. ❤

[@carolcopley3639]

Delightful. Thank you for scaling down the recipes to fit the smaller household. For some recipes it just doesn’t work out but you prove your efforts are successful. Enjoy your posts.

[@thehauntedmansionfan]

I had to stop watching the video to make a comment that I keep forgetting to post. 😊 There's a song you use in almost all of your videos. You used it here when you presented the cut slice of brownie and topped it with whip cream. I don't know what song it is that you're using, but it's very similar to Mr. Rogers' 'It's You I Like' song. ❤ And every time I hear that song I get all verklempt and warm inside. It brings back so many childhood memories. 😢🥰 So I just wanted to say "Thanks." ❤ Thanks for unintentionally making me feel even more nostalgic than these recipes do on their own. ☺️🤗

[@cooking_the_books]

I try to go for a 'Mr. Rogers' vibe in many of my videos, so thank you for noticing. Glad the song could bring back some nice memories. It's called Cocktail Hour. I love using that song while I'm plating food! ☺

[@janelleclark4458]

I always, always think of the Mr. Roger's song when I hear that music, too. Such a lovely man. He was an important part of my childhood, too. ❤

[@CatsPajamas23]

In the 1980s I made that brownie pie (same recipe but it was on the back of a box of cake flour) for my now ex-husband and dinner guests. It was good; it's a decent fudgey brownie. At the time, I had also a small piece of flourless torte in my fridge (purchased that day, when I bought the ingredients for the dinner.) It was called 'chocolate decadence' or something similar, and I sampled it while I was putting the finishing touches on dinner. THAT was the texture I was hoping for with the brownie pie, which of course, even piled with freshly whipped cream and chocolate, fell way short. {Although I loved to bake, I was in my early 20s and had made tortes with nut flour in lieu of wheat flour, meringue, etc, I had never made a flourless chocolate cake. So unbelievably good.)

[@yolandaponkers1581]

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!!! ❤

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! You as well! 💝

[@brandonarkell5357]

I like the fact that you used three different cookbooks. I think it was necessary so that you could gather enough recipes to cover a specific holiday theme.

[@donnagent6046]

I’ll be making the strawberry fluff this weekend.

[@danacoughlin4288]

I love when I realize I have one of the books you are using! I have the Better Homes and Gardens Holiday cookbook.

[@DianeSLoftis]

Wow! You chose some cool unique recipes. Gonna try the brownie pie for the same reasons as you.😅💘 Would you consider doing a show & tell video about The Handyman’s Book 🧐 on your top shelf? I’m curious, but I know it’s not ‘cooking’ related.

[@cooking_the_books]

Yes, I would consider it! A few people have asked about it in the comments, so it seems like there's some interest.

[@nancywelsh8028]

Your blue/white Cordell plates that you had one of your desserts on was my family plates when I was growing up. Great memories! I have not thought about that design for years. Thank you for that. ❤️🫶🏻😘

[@cooking_the_books]

The Snowflake Blue pattern is a favorite for sure. Glad it sparked a nice memory for you. ❤

[@tammymyer5347]

Brownies for Valentine’s Day ❤ seem perfect to me. Most people like brownies, even people who aren’t big on sweets. My Aunt always makes all the nieces and nephews in the family brownies, and she always makes me marbled brownies which I love so much and look forward to. ❤

[@Toad-In-A-Puddle]

I'm going to try the cherry coconut bars, but I will use almonds.

[@cooking_the_books]

Almonds would be great!

[@bethhelminiak5063]

You have "That Sounds So Good." Make the Greens and Beans and Sausage, its amazing. I'm sick, and I have a pot of it simmering right now. And it freezes really well, so make the whole pot and split into individual servings and freeze them for later meals!

[@OkieJammer2736]

❤ LOVED ALL OF THIS + THE COOKBOOKS at the end. De-lish! Thanks so much.

[@janelleclark4458]

I'm all set for these treats! I found the 1982 Southern Luving cookbook at Goodwill last fall, so I can make the Brownie Pie, and I just bought a jar of maraschino cherries in order to make the Friendly Dog salad from your last video, so I can make the Cherry Bars! And the Strawberry Hearts look soooo good. Thanks for all the ideas.

I made brownie pie for my family. It was very good. We mixed for the full 4 minutes with a hand mixer and the crust raised up to a crunchy merengue like top. I had everything in my pantry. Very economical and delicious. Thank you for bringing this recipe to my attention:)

[@melaniefisher8823]

Loved this format, I would enjoy more like this. XOXO happy valentine's day!

[@normacooper6377]

Yum! Chocolate Brownie Pie? Yes, please!

[@CookingWithNeighbors]

I love the southern cookbook from the 80s and I love the brownie pie so much we make that from time to time. One of our favourites. Hope all is well . Oh and that orange bowl I want it lol and the mixer you have is pretty cool!!

[@bbymks5]

The last recipe reminds me of the Chewy Coconut Coffee Breakers on page 47 I made from the Pillsbury's Best of Bake-Off Collection. Notes I made for making them next time was to double the filling and the glaze and measure the cherries with your heart.

[@blueminnie13]

That was so much fun! I have the Holiday cookbook. I'm going to try the Jello as my mom (99) really likes these kinds of desserts. I really enjoyed seeing the different cookbooks. I'm always spying behind you to see what other cookbooks you have on your shelf.

[@daughteroftheblackmadonna8936]

I really enjoyed this format. I really like it when you do a few things together like this. I’m totally making the cherry coconut bars

[@PatriciaWeglarz]

oh yum!! All of these look absolutely delicious.

[@UFOS4]

Just love these old recipes. I think it’s great that you chose them from 3 different cookbooks. They were all “new” to me and I’m really tempted to make that Brownie Pie. II’ll skip the jello desert, never had much luck with molds. My last good jello dessert was Jello 1-2-3 from the box around 1972.😊 Happy Valentines Day!

[@cooking_the_books]

I loved Jello 1-2-3. Such a special treat when I was a kid!

[@lillieknight]

I liked the format. Maybe if you folded in the cherries and pecans, the cherry pieces would stay prominent after it’s baked. They frozen hearts looked so good too.

[@laurac5451]

I just realized brownies and fudge first ingredient is sugar. I have a box maybe I'll make it and never again have that. found a 2021 southern living annual cookbook for 5.99 on amazon.

[@karenwivell8300]

I think I have to try that strawberry dessert but without the heart mold

[@cookingwithsherry]

I love vintage desserts! Valentines desserts are the best ! Thanks for sharing

[@cooking_the_books]

Thanks for watching Sherry! Happy Valentine's Day! 💝

[@O2life]

The Mr. Rogers music was nice.

[@laurensawyer330]

Such fun desserts! I have the same holiday cookbook from BHG. I, too, have not tried anything from it yet. Those gelatin hearts look so good & it would be fun to experiment with different flavors. Thanks for sharing! Happy Valentine's Day! ❤

[@O2life]

I do like this format. I like both, and this one is great for special occasion food.

[@susan794]

Congratulations on the sponsor! 😊

[@cooking_the_books]

I appreciate you saying that! Wasn't sure how people would feel about it, but most have been very supportive so far.

[@susan794]

You work hard to entertain us. Glad you're getting noticed for it. Keep the videos coming. Loving them!

[@debbieblaylock9997]

Wonderful thanks for sharing ❤

[@robylove9190]

Great video ❤

[@cooking_the_books]

Thanks! ☺

[@nancyberg8108]

Thanks Anna, I enjoyed the video. I will be trying the cherry 🍒 bars for sure.

[@Yamp44]

Every Holiday Season, my mom makes a dessert that is similar to this coconut cherry bar you've made. In her recipe, there are walnuts and the cherries are green and red glazed cherries instead of maraschino cherries, but it's otherwise almost identical. She calls them "Dream Squares" and apparently it's a recipe that was made for generations in my maternal grandmother's family. If you love bar cookies (and I know you love 80s' recipes), you might try to hunt for the book "150 delicious squares" from Jean Paré. It's a really famous Canadian cookbook and it's been re-edited a few times since it's original printing in 1981. In Canada, it's easy to find the original print in thrift shops, but I'm sure you could seek it out in the USA and find it without much problem.

[@robingirlwonder5067]

I just have to add there arr usually many ways to do one thing... as long as we get to the finish line that's all that matters. There is never a reason to be rude or persnickety with the people who post videos just because they don't do things your way. These videos take soooo much work and speaking for myself I really enjoy videos like this. Thank you for sharing you love for retro cooking Anna... I have put my spin on a few of your offerings for recipes and they fun to cook and my people enjoyed the tastings... So thank you for your time!❤❤❤

[@cooking_the_books]

I really appreciate that! I am fond of the saying, 'this is A way, not THE way.'

[@anseatery]

YASSSS I LOVE the concept of vintage recipes reimagined! Had to subscribe right away!

[@youdeservethis]

Your anxiety puppy here! Of course your videos make it so I can handle my day. I have you Cooky Book, and I have been using that cookbook since I was four years old. Your videos make my day! Love the strawberry dessert! Will try! Just a hint--when folding in whipped cream or egg whites, I use a balloon whisk. Keeps everything inflated. Am trying the jalapeño soufflé tonight. Little wary because my souffle dish (that I bought especially for this dish) doesn't have very high sides. Thank you!

[@1winterelf]

I really enjoyed watching this video. I plan on making a couple of these but wanted to make a quick comment about the heart molds. Back in the day most of the heart molds were metal or ceramic. These would be much easier to unfold a mouse like texture, but agree that presenting this in a nice glass or bowl would still be very special. I look forward to your next video!

[@dianarising7703]

Lovely video. Your description of the cherry cookie bars make them sound so delicious. So often, cookie bars are really dense and dry.

[@TeganM.C.]

That brownie pie looked delicious! Very cute ideas for Valentine's day!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@belindajacalne994]

Hi Anna! Thank you for sharing the recipes for Valentine's Day desserts! I'm going to make the crustless brownie pie! Will either use a heart-shaped pan or cut it into a heart after baking and cooled. Crossing fingers 🤞 it will work! Will keep you posted! You're absolutely awesome!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you so much! And good luck! ❤

[@lifeisgoodll]

All 3 of these look delicious ♥️💖♥️ I can’t decide which one to try first!

[@Rhaenspots]

Anna, I love your videos so much. You’re so wholesome and genuine! Love your humor and cooking, you’re awesome ❤ thanks for sharing your creativity with all of us!

[@patrickgomes2213]

Another well done video. You're having fun with it and that's the main thing.

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you!

[@gretchenmiller3639]

Love these Recipies! Will definitely be making them!

[@cooking_the_books]

Glad you enjoyed this one! ❤

[@donnagent6046]

Made the strawberry dessert today for my family but served it in separate dishes. It was fantastic and I will be making it again.

[@craigjeffries]

All of these look really good, but especially the brownie pie. I mean, those are two of the best desserts combined into one.

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! ❤

[@conniephillips8217]

I really enjoy your videos and think that both formats work well. You do an amazing job and never disappoint! Thank you❤❤❤❤

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! ☺

[@nicolebrown6450]

Love this theme❤❤❤

[@Standinthegap4ever]

What about a warm damp towel placed over the bottom of the refrigerated ones to help ease them out of the mold?

[@misscharlotte5075]

I like to cut bars into fingers. Easy to cu remove from pan and you get more servings. Really enjoying your channel. ❤

[@lindsayconley7617]

Woooooooo first comment🎉🎉 The brownie pie was tasty, hard to go wrong with brownies!!

[@cooking_the_books]

Rewatching this video is making me hungry, so I am definitely looking forward to dinner this evening! 😂

[@dreamweaver3406]

I have a small heart shaped cake pan that I think I'll try that brownie "pie" in 🙂thanks for sharing Anna. you're an inspiration!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Those were 3 nice recipes! I think the cherry coconut bars must be delicious!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! ❤

[@BlackoutCreature]

I have to give those Cherry-Coconut Bars a try. I've been looking for a recipe to use up the big bag of candied cherries I bought at Christmas for your Fruitcake Cookies.

[@cooking_the_books]

Good call!

[@macsarcule]

Hooray! I’ve been saving this video as my valentines celebration, and a Happy Valentine’s Day to you! 🙂💚🌷

[@r.j.whitaker]

Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed this format. The brownie pie looks really good 😋

[@BookHen-xn2bh]

Thanks for this episode. Nice.

[@cindythoms7246]

The brownies look great, have to give them a try.

[@Jennifer35678]

Hi Anna! I liked both formats! ☺😁 These desserts looked especially good to me. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful weekend. 😊❤