The beginning's important - And so is the rest - but the end of the meal is always the best! (from the back cover)

{HISTORY}

If there was any 1950s trio that could bring instant joy to the holiday baking season it was Edna and Vee and Peter Pauper Press. 

Cheerful and sweet-natured, Holiday Party Desserts was compiled by Edna Beilenson (1909-1981), a co-owner of Peter Pauper Press alongside her husband, Peter. Published in 1956, this slim cookbook combines the life-long creative talents of two book publishing dynamos. Edna was an award-winning book designer, typographer, typesetter, bookkeeper, writer, artist, and small press publisher. Focused throughout her life on creating artistically dynamic books at affordable prices, she was interested in showcasing the work of women in the printing industry.  Vee Guthrie (1920-2012) who illustrated this and many other Peter Pauper Press titles, was a well-known illustrator in the book world - a beloved favorite of both children and adults.

When Vee and Edna got together to create a book their focus was always on adding some excitement to the menu. Holiday parties are fun to begin with, but as Edna notes in her introductory poem - a delicious dessert makes it all the more special. Here in this end-of-the-year party book, Edna gathered a range of tried and true favorites, international delights, and festive crowd-pleasers sure to add an extra treat for holiday revelers of all ages and appetites.  Vee, in turn, set pen to paper and illustrated colorful scenes for the start of each chapter, complete with jaunty and jolly characters.

Interesting recipes include Egg Nog Pie, Chatlotte Russe, Grenadine Bavarian Cream, Pears Mary Garden, Mousse Au Chocolat, Coffee Parfait, Orange Nut Cake, Viennese Yuletide Crescents, Black Bottom Pie, Savarin au Rhum, Blueberry Apple Crisp, East India Pie, and Graham Cracker Cake.

A gorgeous example of midcentury small press book publishing as well as a creative culinary adventure, this book is a delight in presentation inside and out.  A gift inscription on the front endpaper dated 1952 adds a touch of vintage nostalgia and good cheer.

Photo of Edna courtesy of The Reporter Dispatch. April 30th, 1978 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- 1956 Edition 

- 61 pages

- Illustrated throughout 

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition, the interior and exterior of this cookbook are clean and bright and free of cooking spots and stains. There is light foxingon the front and back endpapers.  The coverboards contain slight chipping along the edges in some areas. The spine is tight and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 4.5" inches (width) x 7.5" inches (length) x .25" inches (thickness) and weighs 5 oz.

{DONATION SUPPORTED!}

This cookbook gives back! 20% of the proceeds from the sale of this cookbook will be donated to Feeding America - a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, and local meal programs dedicated to providing nutritious meals to food-insecure communities around the United States.