It is our hope that this book may be taken into a quiet corner for sincere reading. It should prove as interesting as the newest romance because what is more fascinating than the secret of producing unusual dishes and serving them daintily and appropriately? (from the Forward) 

{HISTORY}

Packed full of information, this slim baking book produced by the Royal Baking Powder Company contains recipes, culinary history, table setting, menus, party planning, and how-to instructions all in an effort to present delicious baked goods in the most appealing way.  

Published in 1929, it contains over 90 pages of heirloom recipes that run the gamut from waffles to sunshine cake, homemade doughnuts to potato puff rolls and everything in between. Tucked into each section are full-color illustrations depicting various baked goods, step-by-step black-and-white photographs highlighting techniques, and line drawings that help illustrate cake decoration designs.

In addition to the generous amount of illustrations and antique recipes are little snippets of culinary fun from kitchens of the past. Two pages tell how baking powder came to be a staple in the kitchen.  Tips on how to open any type of baking powder tin show how far packaging design has come in the past 100 years. Advice on how to set an attractive table, baking tips for new brides and bakers, and menus for special occasions including picnics, afternoon tea and buffets round out the rest. 

Interesting recipes include Eleventh Hour Kisses, Lady Betty Cake, Tropic Aroma Cake, Mrs. Moody's Black Walnut Bars, Betty's Feather Sponge Cake, Scotch Fingers, Cottage Pudding, Surprise Muffins, Butterscotch Curls, Chocolate Waffles, Green Corn Gems, Peanut Butter Bread, Royal Individual Coffee Cakes, Brown Sugar Biscuits, Jam turnovers, Banana Fritters and Afternoon Tea Crullers. 

The Royal Baking Powder Company was founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the 1860s. It was originally called The Royal Chemical Company but was eventually changed to the Royal Baking Powder Company and came to be headquartered in New York City. By the time this baking book was published in 1929, Royal was the largest producer of baking powder in the world, which was a big feat in a competitive market of other baking powder companies.

In 1900 alone, there were 524 individual baking powder companies listed in the US,  all competing with their various mixtures of ingredients. Some contained aluminum, some cream of tarter, lime or ammonia, etc and as confident conversations in business tend to go, everyone claimed their recipe as best. No one could beat Royal's success rate though. At one point it held over 90% of the market in popularity.  Still available today, Royal Baking Powder has become a legacy brand when it comes to business and baking.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- 1929 edition

- 100 pages

- Illustrated throughout

{CONDITION}

In well-loved (almost antique!) condition, this cookbook is primarily clean and bright throughout but does contain some cooking spots and stains on the front and back coverboards as well as some interior pages. None of the cooking splatters mar the recipes or the ability to read them in any way. The color illustrations are crips and clear and very bright in color. The spine is tight and all pages are intact. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Measures 9.25" inches (length) x 6.75" inches (width) x .25" inches (thickness) and weighs 11 oz.