World War II Recipes

WWII Rationing Poster: “How to Shop With War Ration Book Two”

During World War II, many countries faced food rationing and changes in food availability. Recipes from this time period often used smaller amounts of rationed ingredients (e.g., sugar, meat, coffee, butter, etc.) and incorporated local and in-season products (due to canned food rationing). WWII-era recipes also focused on dishes that were cost effective (since some food prices increased) and nutritious (because rationing often meant a change in diet).

Learn more about World War II Recipes through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about World War II Recipes

Hot Red Cross (1941) 01 Nov 1941, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comAll-in-One Casserole Dinner (1942) 31 Jan 1942, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comDutch Apple Cake Using Biscuit Dough (1942) 07 Feb 1942, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comEggless Cake (1942) 11 Feb 1942, Wed Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.comBacon Substitute (1942) 14 Feb 1942, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com3 Recipes for Sugarless Candy (1942) 14 Apr 1942, Tue The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois) Newspapers.comRed Cabbage and Bacon (1942) 02 May 1942, Sat Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.com5 Dessert Recipes with Reduced Sugar (1942) 31 May 1942, Sun The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) Newspapers.comBread Omelet (1942) 16 Jul 1942, Thu Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.comHoney Cake (1942) 05 Sep 1942, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comWhite Fish with Stuffing (1942) 03 Oct 1942, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comSugarless Pie Fillings (1942) 03 Oct 1942, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com2 Beverage Recipes Sweetened with Honey (1943) 08 Jan 1943, Fri Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com"Magic Spread" to make butter go father (1943) 08 Jan 1943, Fri Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.comBoston Gingerbread with No Sugar (1943) 03 Apr 1943, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comBaked Peanuts (1943) 15 May 1943, Sat The New York Age (New York, New York) Newspapers.com"Favorite Casserole" for Leftover Meat (1943) 09 Jul 1943, Fri Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.com5 Recipes for Unused Coffee (1943) 29 Jul 1943, Thu The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) Newspapers.comTomato Soup Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (1943) 26 Oct 1943, Tue The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) Newspapers.comNew Idea Beef Loaf (1943) 27 Nov 1943, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comCottage Cheese Relish (1944) 15 Jan 1944, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comCorned Beef and Cabbage (1944) 12 Feb 1944, Sat The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.comSugar-Saving White Sirup Cake (1944) 03 Aug 1944, Thu The News-Review (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Newspapers.comScrambled Eggs in Tomatoes (1944) 11 Aug 1944, Fri Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.comHoney Chocolate Chip Cookies (1945) 10 May 1945, Thu The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) Newspapers.com