[Review] The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook by Becky Libourel Diamond

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.

Note: I received this book as an ARC. It is scheduled to be released August 5, 2025.

4 stars