As soon as I hear phrases like “back to school” or “football season,” my mind instantly shifts to cooking. Sure, summer has its delights, but nothing compares to the cozy aromas of fall and winter dishes wafting through the home. Recently, I’ve been revisiting the Little House on the Prairie series with my son, and I’m amazed at how many foods mentioned in the stories can still make my mouth water—even the unusual ones like jackrabbit stew or fried pig’s tail. Just reading about popcorn sent me rushing to grab a bag of my favorite brand, which, let’s be honest, doesn’t hold a candle to the homemade version described in the books. This fall, I’m determined to experiment with Little House recipes with my boys. Here are the first nine I’m excited to try!
- Vanity Cakes
This delightful treat has lingered in my mind since I first read about it over 30 years ago. The cakes are sweet—something my taste buds have a soft spot for—and they come with a moral lesson from Ma: They’re called vanity cakes because “they puff up and are hollow inside.” I’m eager to whip up a batch of these. - Dumplings
I have a fondness for dumplings, thanks to my mother and grandmother’s amazing recipes, but I’ve never made them myself. Mrs. Ingalls prepared them for special gatherings: “Ma had cooked an especially good supper because they had company.” I found a recipe for Little House buttermilk dumplings that I can’t wait to try from Food.com. - Fried Chicken
Laura mentions taking fried chicken in her lunch pail to school. In These Happy Golden Years, she reminisces about enjoying it alongside fresh peas and potatoes. While I make fried chicken occasionally, I’ve yet to attempt the brining technique mentioned in the book. - Fried Apples ‘n’ Onions
Almanzo’s favorite dish from Farmer Boy has me intrigued. I’m all for fried foods, especially hashes, and I plan to serve this alongside crispy bacon and sweet rolls. - Maple Taffy Candy
In Little House in the Big Woods, Grandma pours warm maple syrup over snow collected by the girls. While I would probably just drink the syrup, I know my kids will love trying this snow-topped treat. - Vinegar Pie
This recipe, coming right after fried pig’s tail in terms of skepticism, seems to have a taste profile similar to lemon pie—tart yet sweet. I’m going to test this recipe, which includes a hint of maple for added flavor. - Green Pumpkin Pie
Ma was the queen of “making do,” and I imagine this pie from The Long Winter was an inventive way to utilize early-stage pumpkins. The recipe includes apples for an extra touch of sweetness. - Doughnuts
While Farmer Boy isn’t my favorite in terms of characters, it certainly makes up for it with mouthwatering food descriptions. One passage that stuck with me details Almanzo taking the largest doughnut and savoring its crispy edge. I’m on the hunt for instructions to create a cruller-like shape, and if you’re curious, you can find a recipe here. - Dried-Apple Sauce
In By the Shores of Silver Lake, Laura helps Ma prepare a feast that includes a dish of dried-apple sauce. I found a straightforward recipe that reconstitutes dried apples with hot water and sugar—perfect for fall, especially if you want to mix in some apple butter!
So, the next time someone mentions “back to school” or “sweater weather,” I’ll be ready with my list of ingredients. I’ll be stocking up on apples and maple syrup while keeping an eye on the weather. In the meantime, I’ll continue to read ahead in the Little House books.
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Summary: This article highlights nine enticing recipes from the Little House on the Prairie series that inspire excitement for fall cooking. From vanity cakes to fried apples and onions, these dishes bring warmth and nostalgia, perfect for the upcoming season.
Keyphrase: Little House recipes for fall
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