What if you could experience history not just through visuals or stories, but by savoring its flavors? B. Dylan Hollis has taken this unique approach, transforming his fascination with vintage recipes into a social media sensation. His TikTok videos reveal his adventures in recreating dishes like water pie and potato donuts.
Hollis is also an author, with his second cookbook titled “Baking Across America: A Vintage Recipe Road Trip.” He plans to discuss his work at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe on Monday, June 23.
Discovering Historical Recipes
B. Dylan Hollis delves into the origins of his interest: “I had always been a collector of old things, so I collected old vacuum tube radios, I collected old records and books.” It was a 1915 Five Roses flour cookbook that first inspired his journey, featuring a recipe for a pork cake—a fruit cake with a pound of ground pork. The internet response was overwhelming, encouraging him to explore further.
Hollis describes how his collection grew through contributions from others: “Folks started sending me in these cookbooks… I now have a bit of a library of old cookbooks in my house.”
The Allure of the Past
When asked about his attraction to vintage items, Hollis explains, “There’s a certain weight, a certain power to them.” He emphasizes the tangible connection to history that recipes offer, allowing one to “recreate that recipe, bake it, and then taste it just the same as it was 100 years ago.”
Challenges and Surprises
Not all historical dishes are delectable. Hollis notes the economic constraints of the 1920s and 1930s, sharing a Canadian recipe for “pudding chomeur,” or “unemployed pudding,” which utilized simple pantry ingredients flavored with maple syrup. However, some recipes, like the pork cake, might be best left in history.
Through his culinary explorations, Hollis has also uncovered historical insights. He discusses how refrigeration’s advent influenced the popularity of gelatin recipes, which became a status symbol at the time.
Arizona’s Culinary Contributions
In “Baking Across America,” Hollis features several Arizona recipes, including a prickly pear cheesecake. “And I have to mention that, of course in my cookbooks, most of that which I put in there is, of course, very good,” he assures. While prickly pear may be more associated with tourism, it provides a unique flavor that Hollis skillfully incorporates into desserts.
KJZZ’s The Show transcripts are created on deadline. This text is edited for length and clarity, and may not be in its final form. The authoritative record of KJZZ’s programming is the audio record.
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