Reprinted from the Writers Almanac
It’s the birthday of Fannie Merritt Farmer born in Boston (1857). She’s known for publishing the first cookbook in American history that came with simple, precise cooking instructions.
She compiled all the recipes she had ever learned, along with advice on how to set a table, scald milk, cream butter, remove stains, and clean a copper boiler.
At first, all the publishers turned her down because they reasoned that these were all things young women could learn from their mothers.
Finally, Little, Brown agreed to publish the book if Fannie Farmer would pay for the printing of the first 3,000 copies.
It has sold millions of copies since.
I LOVE my Fannie Farmer Baking Book! I don’t know where I’d be in the kitchen without her advice.
I feel that way about Joy of Cooking. But I’m going to include Fannie in my collection of cookbooks now!!
My publicist just baked her pineapple upside down cake. Fannie Farmer overcame some serious health issues to become – and remain – one of the best known cookbook authors of all time.
That’s true! Thanks for your thoughtful comment!!
xo Deb