Green is the holly, and red is the berry; bring on the fixin's, we'll feast and be merry! (From The Merrie Christmas Cookbook) 

{HISTORY}

Ever since Peter Pauper Press published their first book in Westchester County, NY in 1928, they have strived to make pretty books for affordable prices. Known for their gorgeous graphic designs, high-quality paper, and interesting content, Peter Pauper has been a part of the Christmas kitchen for almost 100 years thanks to their unique collection of mini holiday and cocktail cookbooks.

This pair was published in the 1980s and features a collection of recipes intended for sharing. Christmas cookies, holiday desserts, party cakes, and sweet surprises fill up the pages of Festive Chocolate, published in 1986.  In The Merrie Christmas Cookbook, published in 1982, recipe highlights include complete dinner party fare from appetizers to desserts.  

One of the most engaging things about Peter Pauper Press cookbooks are the unexpected stories that simmer in the backgrounds of each book.  The Merrie Christmas Cookbook was illustrated by Ruth McCrea (1921-2016),  a prolific children's book author and freelance designer for all the well-known publishing houses of the 20th century. Ruth lived in the Hamptons, and decorated dollhouses in her free time, as a form of creative escapism. She had a true passion for miniatures and decorated all her dollhouses to exacting detail. 

The Festive Chocolate recipes are the work of Ms. Peter Rose, a culinary historian specializing in the colonial fare of New York's early Dutch settlers.  Peter made a career out of studying Dutch cooking contributions in the American landscape and lectured frequently throughout the country including at the Smithsonian Museum and the National Gallery of Art. It was Peter's mission to shed light on the true lineage of American food, most of it influenced not by the English but by the Dutch, who brought pies, pancakes, waffles, and numerous other  "American" foods from their homeland. Needless to say, each of the recipes in the Festive Chocolate cookbook comes with one of her interesting origin stories. 

Fun for stocking stuffers, these slim little cookbooks offer just the right amount of history to make the holiday memorable and delicious without being overwhelming. A gateway to the gourmet world of cooking decades ago, each cookbook is sold separately so that they head to kitchens that will truly appreciate their unique vintage charm. Please select your favorite from the drop-down menu.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Each book is sold individually

- Festive Chocolate book was published in 1986 

- The Merrie Christmas Cookbook was published in 1982 

- Both books contain 64 pages each and include their original dust jackets  

- Interesting recipes from The Merrie Christmas Cookbook include Pot Roast Curry, Salami and Roquefort Cornucopias, Flank Steak with Sherry, Succotash Casserole, Mint Glazed Carrots with Peas, Continental Apple Cake, Peach Meringue and Raspberries and Sour Cream Apple Pie

- Interesting recipes from Festive Chocolate include Melt-In-Your-Mouth-Truffles, Mosaic Cookies, Citrus Buttercream Chocolate Cake, La Gourmandise Brownies, Black and White Pudding, Majestic Pears, Chocolate Trifle with Raspberries, Tradewind Cocktails, Mexican Chocolate Pots and French Chocolate Mousse

{CONDITION}

Both books are in beautiful vintage condition. The dust jackets are both entirely intact and free of rips, stains, or tears (except for a small chippy area in the top left corner of Festive Chocolate). The cookbooks themselves are very clean and bright with no markings, spots, or stains. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Each book measures 7.5" inches (length) x 4.5" inches (width) x .25" inches (thickness) and weighs 6 oz.