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Here is a look at a few favorite Libby’s pumpkin recipes from the 1980’s. I’ve taken a few classic vintage recipes from Libby’s Favorite Pumpkin Recipes (1984) and The Great Pumpkin Cookbook” (1984). There is also a classic version of their pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin nut bread.
Little “Bite” of History
- Libby started processing pumpkin in 1929. They use their own strain of “Dickinson” pumpkin exclusively for the solid pack pumpkin. This variety is smaller and sweeter than standard “jack o’lantern” type pumpkins.
- When processing the pumpkin puree, LIBBY does not add anything to the solid pack pumpkin and some of the water is removed to concentrate the pumpkin to yield a rich, creamy texture and fresh flavor.
Libby’s Favorite Pumpkin Recipes (1984), is a beloved classic leaflet style cookbook with pumpkin recipes ranging from baked goods like muffins, cheesecake, and more. Here is their famous pumpkin pie recipe along with 13 variations you can make like Peanut Butter Pumpkin Pie or Coconut Chiffon Pumpkin Pie, or Square Pumpkin Pie. Any of these would make a perfect fall dessert and of course a showstopper on your Thanksgiving table.
This Libby’s “The Great Pumpkin Cookbook” (1984), is full of pumpkin recipes ranging from main dishes, to baked goods and more! This vintage cookbook helps home cooks preserve culinary practices of the 1980s with simple, made from scratch food. Here’s a cherished classic original recipe for Libby’s Original Pumpkin Pie.
This original recipe for Libby’s Pumpkin Roll is from my 1984 “The Great Pumpkin Cookbook“. It makes for a great Thanksgiving dessert alternative to Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie.
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ook (1984)
This original recipe for Libby’s Pumpkin Cheesecake has a classic graham cracker crust with a layer of creamy pumpkin pie filling and topped with sour cream topping. A Thanksgiving dessert alternative to Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie.
Dietary Substitutions
For the past 12+ years, I have owned an all-natural specialty bakery converting conventional recipes to gluten free, vegan, wholesome, etc. You can read more about my pro-baking here.
Here are a few basic tips when converting conventional recipes into specialty baked goods.
- Shelf Life: Specialty baked goods tend to dry out faster and have a shorter shelf life than conventional baked goods. Store in an airtight container on counter for 1 – 2 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 6 months. Avoid refrigerating, as it can dry out baked goods.
- Let Batter Rest: Alternate flours can be dense or slightly gritty compared to white flour, so be sure to let the batter rest at least 15 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator before baking. This allows the flour to fully hydrate and produce a lighter, tender crumb.
- Oven Temperature: Alternative flours are delicate and tend to brown faster before the center is cooked through. Reduce oven to 325° and bake “low and slow,” adding a few extra minutes of bake time if needed.
Gluten-Free (no gluten)
- Flour: Swap out the flour with a premium gluten-free flour such as my Vintage Baked Modern blend or use a homemade gluten-free flour blend. Be sure the flour blend contains xanthan gum or add 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. per every 1 cup of flour to the recipe.
- Hydration: Gluten free flours can make baked goods dense. Add 1 tablespoon of additional extra liquid (the same liquid called for in the recipe) to help lighten the texture.
- Fat: Add up to 1 to 2 Tbsp of additional fat, such as butter or oil to the recipe.
Vegan/Dairy Free (no animal products)
- Butter: Use unsalted vegan butter sticks such as Violife for best flavor and texture.
- Dairy: Replace dairy with unsweetened plant based milk such as oat, coconut or almond milk.
- Eggs: Replace each egg by adding 1 tsp. baking soda to the batter, then pour 1 Tbsp. white vinegar over it. Add the vinegar last though, to keep the leavening reaction.
- Fat: Add up to 1 to 2 Tbsp of additional fat like oil or vegan butter to the recipe.
Keto (low carb, high fat)
- Flour: Swap the white flour for almond flour or coconut flour.
- Sweetener: Replace sugar with Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener which calls for a 1:1swap that mimics granulated sugar.
- Dairy: Replace dairy with unsweetened plant based milk such as coconut or almond milk.
- Hydration: Almond flour can make baked goods dense. Add 1 -2 tablespoons of additional extra liquid (the same liquid called for in the recipe) to help lighten the texture. Add 1 additional egg to help bind the batter.
- Fat: Add up to 2 Tbsp of additional fat, such as butter or oil to the recipe.
Wholesome (minimally processed)
- Flour: Swap out 1/3 to 1/2 of the white flour with King Arthur white whole wheat flour or King Arthur 100% whole wheat flour or Bob’s oat flour.
- Sweetener: Replace white sugar with maple syrup or honey. Use 3/4 c. honey for every 1 c. sugar. You can also swap out the white sugar with 1:1 swap using natural cane sugar, coconut sugar or date sugar.
- Dairy: Replace dairy with unsweetened plant based milk such as oat, coconut or almond milk.
- Lower Fat: For every 1 c. of butter, use 3/4 c. heart-healthy oil (like canola or extra-light olive) OR 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce + 1/2 c. oil.
Allergen Free (none of the 9 allergens)
- Flour: Swap out the flour with a premium gluten-free flour such as King Arthur Measure for Measure or use a homemade gluten-free flour blend that does not contain tree nuts or soy. Be sure the flour blend contains xanthan gum or add 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. per every 1 cup of flour to the recipe. Here is a list of some other gluten-free flours to try.
- Butter: Use unsalted vegan butter sticks such as Violife for best flavor and texture. Add up to 1 to 2 Tbsp of additional fat like oil or vegan butter to the recipe.
- Dairy: Replace dairy with unsweetened plant based milk such as oat or coconut milk. Check the labels to make sure they are soy-free and nut-free.
- Eggs: Replace each egg by adding 1 tsp. baking soda to the batter, then pour 1 Tbsp. white vinegar over it. Add the vinegar last though, to keep the leavening reaction.
- Nuts: Omit all peanuts and tree nuts (almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, or walnuts.
Related Recipes
Vintage 80’s Cookbooks
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