With holiday music playing, I cracked open The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook: Cookies and Treats from America’s Golden Era and tried out several recipes: Ingwer Gebäck, Brown Sugar Cookies, Raisin Penuche, Hot Chocolate, and Jelly Doughnuts. I made a few plant-based swaps: agave syrup for honey, vegan butter for butter, ground flaxseed for eggs, and soy milk in place of dairy. Even in the middle of summer, it really put me in the holiday spirit.

As expected with most fried treats, the Jelly Doughnuts were delicious, and the Brown Sugar Cookies had a lovely gingery flavor. The Ingwer Gebäck, on the other hand, had a cakey, Play-Doh-like texture, fun to handle and great for small hands, but not especially tasty. The Raisin Penuche was heavy and overly sweet, and the Hot Chocolate, while good, was similar to other versions I’ve tried.

But the real value of a cookbook like this lies less in culinary excellence and more in the atmosphere it creates, and in that, it succeeds. Diamond offers helpful context throughout, with explanations of ingredients and lesser-known dishes, as well as brief explorations of related traditions like poems, cards, and games. However, some of the selected facts and stories can seem a bit eclectic, and, like many historical cookbooks, the overall recipe selection is limited.

One final note for ebook readers: unfortunately, as with many cookbooks, the Kindle formatting is poor and detracts from the overall reading experience.

Thanks to Globe Pequot and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.

GORGEOUS. Simply gorgeous, and evoking the lavishness of The Gilded Age, this cookbook is only part cookbook and part history lesson(s). As someone who loves both cookbooks *and* history *and* the spirit of the Christmas season, this title is an easy 5-Stars for me.

From the start, and the acknowledgement of the German influence on era baked goods and the immigrant influences on traditions that were becoming more commonplace and carrying into today's times, I was hooked. I really appreciate the historical research and explanations of Christmas (and toward the end of the book, those of Hanukkah) of the age and learning about things I didn't realize "existed" that far back, such as iced sugar cookies (I don't know, I just think of these as more mid-1900s cookies?). The history of sugars, of food colorings for icings/foods, the evolution of depictions of Santa by Harper's Weekly's Thomas Nast (as well as his influence on U.S. political party mascots--the side quests in this book are fantastic as well!), the history of animal crackers, origin of Currier & Ives, the rise of Christmas dishware, Black society and social clubs of the age, Bon Bon lore, bra pies and "stir-up Sundays", mustache cups...so many fun things to learn about!

Recipes I'm excited to try this season: sand tars, lemon gingerbread, fudgy chocolate cake, bakewell pudding, lemon drops, chocolate wine, and New Year's cookies. Things I don't need to try but loved the nostalgia turning the page to the recipe evoked was lovely: popcorn balls. What I learned are actually sugar plums: a probable skip. Macy's Chicago, you lied to me with your gelatinous plum-y flavored candy years ago!

Releasing on August 5th, I'll be buying a copy for myself and a couple gift copies as well.

My thanks to NetGalley and Globe Pequot for the opportunity to preview this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

I read an advanced copy. Cookbooks don’t always show well in the ARC format as they are not finished and polished, such was the case with this one. I liked looking at the recipes but none seemed exceptional or rare. Nice pictures, just ok dialog.

History is fascinating, and most readers love to read about nostalgic subjects, especially connected to their personal history. Many of us love vintage recipes and the historical facts connected with them; some have been handed down for generations and have originated in foreign countries. Christmas traditions are often celebrated in families, and most likely have stories connected to them that are passed down from generation to generation. Becky Libourel Diamond has researched food through the gilded era and released a cookbook a few years ago. Now, she has released a wonderful cookbook filled with nostalgic recipes, stories, vignettes, and traditions from many places: The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook: Cookies and Treats from America's Golden Era . This is a delightful book that will have many readers curling up in a corner to enjoy reading this well-written book. The prose is fascinating, and the recipes are very appealing.

The recipes are easy to follow and include comments by the author, as well as a list of ingredients followed by step-by-step instructions that make it easy for anyone - beginners and veteran cooks – to successfully prepare the holiday recipes.

The book includes beautiful photographs that showcase many of the recipes, and includes colored pages with the stories. All told, this is an excellent book and will be a nice addition to a holiday cookbook collection. It would also make a nice gift for a cook.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Such a compilation recipes! There are quite a few that I am very excited to try out during the holiday season.

Oozes nostalgia.
This book will be more rewarding in print as the design is best-suited for print in my opinion.
The recipes and the accompanying Christmas illustrations (will be better quality in print) are all rich and love the theme of the gilded age.
I was not familiar with most of these traditional recipes, and learnt a lot from this book.
I have not tried the recipes yet, but made notes to try about 70% of the recipes, and must buy the book before Christmas!

The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook by Becky Libourel Diamond is enticing, engrossing and mouthwatering. Diamond describes her culinary passion which started early when living in Germany where baking is delicious and culturally important. There's something nostalgic and magical about the Gilded Age. Add Christmas and sweets and voila...perfection! Baking was a status symbol, a time to show off skills, tradition and cultural influence. Also highlighted in this scrumptious book are pieces of history and evolving identity in ways other than food such as decorating, bran pie (akin to modern day gag gifts), baking tips, recipes, and Christmas cards.

Amongst other things, I learned about Belsnickeling, animal cookie cutters, how the North Pole was chosen for Santa's home, granulated sugar creation, colorants (arsenic, lead, zinc, marigold), origin of chocolate cake, mincemeat, a flaming bowl game, and gems (little cakes). Then there are recipes such as coffee cookies, sugar cookies with rosewater (can't wait to do this), meringued apples (I make meringue often), and ginger ice cream. I will also flavour and colour baking with cherry or cranberry juice as recommended. There's so much here to love.

What fun this warm and cozy book was! It appealed to my sense of wonder and curiosity, especially as a rabid Gilded Age reader. My only criticism is that there weren't more photographs, especially of the recipes. When baking, I can easily envision the final product but photographs of anything Gilded Age related add a special touch. The illustrations are greatly appreciated. I foresee a multi-generational Gilded Age family Christmas this year!

As this cookbook demonstrate thoroughly, the Gilded Age was a time of decadence in decor, in hospitality, and in holiday traditions. In fact, many of the modern Christmas traditions originated during this time and even those who don't bake will find plenty of reason to buy this book with its vintage illustrations, recipes, and side bars. With a bibliography several pages long, it is evident that the author researched extensively in order to represent the winter holidays (including Hanukkah and New Year's) as accurately as possible. I fully recommend The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook to anyone who loves Christmas!

The photos paint such a glorious picture of the holiday season during the Gilded Age. What I enjoyed the most were all the details in between. While most people I know who get a cookbook don't really read much of the writing in them other than the recipes themselves, I would embolden readers not to skip the foreword, introduction, or bits of content in between recipes. They share such details of the day-to-day culture from that period. Those details shed light on the standard of quality they championed and the impact they made on tradition. For example, the origin of Christmas cards. I quite enjoyed the pieces of specific historical material about some of the recipes; the who, what, when, where, why, and how these recipes were created.
This is a great cookbook for any baker in your life, even beginning bakers who have basic knowledge and are looking to develop their baking journey as the book breaks things down fairly well and include helpful tips. I think an absolute novice baker may find a couple of the recipes a bit on the intermediate skill level (ie: plum pudding). Some recipes included the natural ingredients used as colorants during that time before commercial alternatives were developed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Becky Libourel Diamond, and Globe Pequot Publishing Company for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. #TheGildedAgeChristmasCookbook

Not only is this a great Christmas Cookbook, it also includes some interesting history as well. The recipes are unique, not the same tired old Christmas traditional foods. There are some great pictures included of the recipes and also Christmas cards, art, etc. from the time period. If you are looking for a Christmas Cookbook that is a little different you will appreciate this book.

Such a cozy cookbook with recipes and information that has me ready for cooler weather and the holidays. I do use the term cookbook lightly, as this is not a traditional cookbook by any means. It instead presents recipes alongside tons of information on what the holidays would have looked like during the Gilded Age. The lack of photos to accompany the recipes also lends to this reading more like a text with some cooking instead of an actual cookbook.

I appreciated the inclusive facts that were provided, such as the origin of Christmas cards, Hanukkah traditions, and even how people of color fit into society and celebration during this time.

The biggest complaint I have is that there absolutely needs to be more pictures alongside the recipe! How am I supposed to flip through the cookbook and get inspired, or even know what the end result of the recipe should be? More photos, please!

As for one of the recipes, I tried and will keep in my regular rotation? The soft Molasses Cookies are to die for!

I've posted this review on my Goodreads, and plan to do a post on my Instagram closer to the Christmas holidays.


REVIEW OF ARC
THE GILDED AGE CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK

This cookbook knocked my socks off! It is everything I want from this genre and it is evident that the author had spent a lot of time researching the topic.

The book is divided into 5 chapters, covering Cookies, Cakes, Pies Puddings and Custards, Candies and Other Confections, Hannukah, and New Year's Desserts.

The recipes are fun, interesting and nostalgic. Each one is adapted to modern cooks and kitchens and each one is preceded by a short description of its origin and notes on specific ingredients.

In between the recipes are interesting tidbits about Christmas during this period, historical connections, socioeconomic traditions, cultural heritages, specific ingrediences and many fun facts and baking tips besides.

The layout of the book is elegant and inviting. The photos, a mix of Gilded Age Christmas postcards and art, and staged Christmas tableaus in a beautiful house, are simply gorgeous.

As a Norwegian I found it especially interesting to learn about Christmas traditions in the US evolving the way they did between 1868 and 1900.

This is a fantastic Christmas cookbook that I highly encourage you to get, it will most certainly enrich your holiday baking experience.

Thank you to Globe Pequot and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Not only did this book give really good directions and recipes, there was a lot of information about the gilded age itself and where these recipes came from. If you are a fan of the tv show The Gilded Age, this book is a fun read!

Intriguing look back at the winter holiday traditions and recipes of America’s Gilded Age.

With a large Christmas section, one short chapter on Hanukkah (with one recipe for jelly doughnuts), and a chapter on New Years with history and six recipes.

Though I wish this had more prepared treats photos, the history is excellent and the recipes quite simple.

Great gift for the history fiend who loves to bake.



Thank you to Globe Pequot and NetGalley for the DRC

"There is something undeniably magical about Christmas: the festive spirit, the glittering decorations, the warmth of family gatherings, and of course, the mouthwatering aromas wafting from the kitchen..."

As a Christmas time lover and the baker of my family, that quote really hits me in the feels. I'm betting when most people get a cookbook, they don't really read much of the writing in them other than the recipes themselves. At least that's what most of the people I know do. However, I would encourage you to read both the foreward and introduction of this cookbook. I really enjoyed the snippet of personal and historical information about how some of these recipes came to be, what they stood for and the mark they made on tradition. This cookbook was filled with so much wonderful information about the history of recipes (down to the breakdown of the meaning of the name of the items), and the recipes themselves are amazing. I love that they included the old school natural alternatives to colorants within this cookbook as well. I decided that I needed a little Christmas in July and have already begun testing a couple of the recipes because I just couldn't wait. Let's just say that this cookbook would be a great investment in your culinary repertoire for the holiday season. Thank you so much to Globe Pequot Publishing Company and NetGalley for the amazing opportunity to read and review this cookbook. My opinions are my own and my final one is that this is a great cookbook for anyone, including beginners that are looking to start their baking journey. They break down everything and have tons of tips to help your recipes turn out perfect.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This was one of the best Christmas cookbooks I have ever seen. Usually, there are only a few recipes that I would even possibly consider using, but in this one, there were so many recipes that look good (just too bad I don't have a personal chef to bake the food for me).

I loved all of the information included about the Gilded Age. I don't usually like all the text in between the recipes, as I just mainly care about the recipes. However, this text had feel of an extremely interesting non-fiction book, not just filler.

Some of the recipes I am planning on trying are the soft molasses cookies (one of my favorite cookies), brown sugar cookies, coffee cookies (described as "molasses cookies with a kick") and macaroons.

The only thing I can say against the book is there weren't enough pictures of the actual food in it. There were beautiful photographs, though.

Would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a Christmas cookbook.

This is a delightful dive into Christmases past, filled with fascinating historical facts and a treasure trove of traditional recipes from the Gilded Age. It was wonderful to see familiar favorites, like Gingerbread Men, alongside recipes I've only ever heard about, like the elusive Sugar Plum—culturally ubiquitous, but has anyone actually tried one?

I especially appreciate the simplicity of the recipes. During the hectic holiday season, straightforward and accessible is exactly what a home baker needs, and this book delivers.

My only wish is for more food photography. While the book contains lovely vintage illustrations and photos of swanky Christmas décor scenes, there are limited photos of the finished dishes. For visual bakers like myself, who want to see a picture before reading the recipe, this felt like a missed opportunity.

Despite this, for anyone wanting to create an authentic, vintage Christmas dessert spread, this book is a fantastic and indispensable resource.

Perfectly pleasant!
Packed full of recipes and and charming antidotes of the Gilded Age, I’ll be revisiting this book every Christmas.

This was a great cookbook. Very easy-to-follow recipes. I can't wait to try these recipes. I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I loved the discussion of Christmas traditions and the photographs that were interspersed amongst the recipes. We made the Christmas popcorn recipe and it was very delicious. I would definitely recommend this book and recipes.