Jello-O Cookbook, 1922, with Jell-O Ice Cream Powder Pamphlet

Jell-O "It's so Simple" cookbook, 1922, with Jell-O Ice Cream Powder Insert and "moving pictures" instructions.

This charming little cookbooklet, measuring approximately 6 1/8" x 4 1/4" with 14 pages and string-attached ice cream insert, was published in 1922 to promote the simplicity of making a Jell-O recipe.  The special added bonus is the insert, which promotes Jell-O Ice Cream Powder, a little-know product from Jell-O.

While we often think of Jell-O as being a post-World War II, mid-century convenience food invention, its history dates back to the mid-1800s.  In 1895, 50 years after the original patent was granted for a "portable gelatin dessert powder," Pearl B. Wait, a cough-syrup manufacturer in Le-Roy, New York, purchased the rights and began experimenting with the addition of fruit syrups (strawberry, raspberry, orange, and lemon) to gelatin. His wife, May, renamed the dessert “Jell-O” and although they were responsible for its invention, they lacked the knowledge and funds to market it successfully.  The business was sold to Wait's neighbor, Orator Francis Woodward, who was ultimately responsible for the product's success as we know it today.

These types of cookbooklets, small in size but packed with tons of recipes, household hints, and advertising propaganda, were  promotional giveaways designed to attract new customers while keeping current customers coming back for more.

In addition to the many desserts, salads, and whips that call for Jell-O gelatin, learn how ice cream could be made 100 years ago using Jell-O's miracle powder!