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Retroessence Recipes and Style

Dessert Delights

Hospitality was a way of life in the retro era. People dropped in more often, and a good "hostess with the mostest" was prepared - it was  unthinkable to offer a guest a cup of coffee without a piece of pie.  Hospitality was akin to being "neighborly"; when a new family moved into the bungalow next door, they were greeted with a cake or hot dish. Women gathered in the mid-morning (without kids and husbands under foot) for a coffee klatsch, and caught up on news. Club meetings were held in the afternoon as the hostess served her best "ice box" dessert.  Lifestyles may have changed since then, but a great dessert never goes out of style!

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Tomato Soup Cake
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 2 t baking powder
  • 1 can tomato soup
  • 1/2 t cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 cup chopped dates or raisins
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Mix shortening and sugar, beat well. Add spices, salt, baking powder and flour sifted together. Add soda to soup. Mix flour mixture and soup alternately to sugar, beating well after each addition. Add dates and nuts, lightly coated with flour. Bake in two layer pans or one long pan in moderate oven. Icing: Cream one package 8oz creamed cheese , 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar with vanilla or lemon as desired.  Blend thoroughly and spread on cake.

lemon bisque
  • 1 13oz can evaporated milk
  • 1/8 t salt
  • 1 pkg. lemon gelatin
  • 3 T lemon juice
  • 1 1/4 cup boiling water
  • grated rind of one lemon
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 21/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs

Thoroughly chill can of milk over night. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water and add sugar, salt, lemon juice and rind. When it is partially set, beat milk until it is stiff and whip gelatin mixture into it. Spread half of crumbs in dessert pan and pour lemon mixture over it. Top with remaining crumbs and chill for approximately 3 hrs.  Garnish with dollop of whipped cream, and serve with hot coffee in candle - warmed carafe.

Retroessence hint: Rotary dial phones add a subtle retro touch to any decor.  Try classic black or as an alternative, almond or salmon. If you are lucky you might find avacado! A princess phone in pink or baby blue is a real find. If you see one of these phones - grab it before they become impossible to locate.