Remember enjoying church suppers on sunny Sunday afternoons? These get-togethers were filled with family & friends and some of the best-tasting meals we've ever had.
Recipe cards would be passed from one family to the next but there was always someone's chicken-salad secret that wasn't shared. What WAS the ingredient you could never guess in Maryann's meatball sauce?
These sought-after recipes and all the others we remember enjoying after Sunday service were the inspiration for our Cookbook of the Week!
If it's not already part of your collection,
say hello to Church Suppers!
Doesn't that cover take you back to your own get-togethers? We love all of our cookbook covers, but this one really shines.
Let's take a look at the chapters inside...
Click image to view larger.
Pancake Breakfasts, Soup Suppers & Chili Cookoffs and Ice Cream Socials & Bake Sales remind us of all the different times we'd gather to enjoy a meal together. No matter what the occasion - or for no occasion at all! - you're sure to find a recipe your family will love.
Ladies Lunch is filled with potluck favorites, chicken-salad secrets and a few punch recipes too! Throughout the book, the tips at the bottom of each page inspire you to make your get-togethers even more special. You'll find ideas for recipe swaps, clever serving suggestions and tablesetting tips as well.
In Summertime Socials, Food for a Crowd, Election Day Dinners and sprinkled throughout the other chapters, you'll find recipes to make for more than just your family. These will come in handy for family reunions, parties, potlucks and of course, church suppers!
Ice Cream Socials & Bake Sales isn't the only spot in Church Suppers you'll find desserts, but it's a delicious collection nonetheless! We've also included some packaging ideas in this chapter so you'll be ready to wow your bake-sale customers...these tips make it easy to give sweet treats to friends as well.
All this talk of bake sales and ice cream socials makes us want to share something sweet with YOU! Enjoy this recipe from Church Suppers.
Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake
Shared by Kathi Rostash of Nevada, Ohio, she writes, "I made this for a church get-together and had many requests for the recipe...so will you!" We're not surprised, Kathi. Thanks again for sharing!
2 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 c. butter
1 c. water
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. buttermilk
Sift together flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large bowl; set aside. Combine butter, water and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Add to flour mixture and mix well; set aside. Combine eggs, vanilla and buttermilk; add to peanut butter mixture. Spread into a greased 15"x10" jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, until it springs back when gently touched. Spread Peanut Butter Icing over warm cake. Makes 15 to 20 servings.
Peanut Butter Icing:
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1/3 c. plus 1 T. milk
16-oz. pkg. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
Combine butter, peanut butter and milk in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla to a spreading consistency.
Can we toot the Church Suppers horn a little more?
Here are some reviews of the book from longtime collectors.
Overall: 
Lori from Stephenville, Texas
Date Posted: 10/16/2008 09:34:07
Church Suppers
I have been collecting Gooseberry Cookbooks for over 10 years now! I love every one of them but when I saw Church Suppers I fell in love with it. The cover is beautiful! I love church potlucks outside under the big oak trees and this book is perfect. The tips on Lady's Luncheons and Summertime Socials are amazing. It brings back so many memories of bringing families and friends together! Thank you.
Overall:
Rose from Platte City, MO
Date Posted: 11/07/2008 12:47:41
My new favorite
I have several (at least 10) Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, and this one quickly became my new favorite. I love making recipes from this book. They are new to me, but have the taste of old-time goodness. I also love having recipes to feed a crowd...with a growing family and a busy social life, this cookbook is very useful. It would also make a great gift!
Click here to read all the reviews for this book!
Click below to get a peek at some of the recipes inside...
Church Suppers was featured on QVC!
Share all the goodies in this week's Cookbook of the Week with a friend!
