The Sure to Rise Cookery Book by T.J. Edmonds Ltd.

(16 User reviews)   5810
By Brenda Hill Posted on Dec 21, 2025
In Category - Forensic Studies
T.J. Edmonds Ltd. T.J. Edmonds Ltd.
English
Ever wonder what people actually cooked in 1914 New Zealand? This isn't just a cookbook—it's a time capsule. Flipping through the pages of 'The Sure to Rise Cookery Book' feels like peeking into your great-grandmother's kitchen. There's something quietly revolutionary here: a baking powder company publishing a cookbook so good, it outlasted their own product by a century. The recipes are simple, practical, and surprisingly modern in their efficiency. But the real story isn't in the scones or sponges; it's about how a little blue cookbook became a national treasure, teaching generations how to bake and binding communities together through shared meals. It’s a slice of history you can actually make for dinner.
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milk, mix quickly, roll and cut into shapes, bake in hot oven. CARRAWAY BISCUITS. 1½ lbs. of flour ½ lb. butter ¾ lb. Sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoonfuls Edmonds’ Baking Powder 2 ozs. currants 2 ozs. candied peel 1 teaspoonful carraway seeds Little milk Rub the butter into the flour, add the sugar, baking powder, cleaned currants, carraway seeds, and finely-chopped candied peel. Mix to a stiff paste with the well-beaten eggs, and a little milk. Roll out on a floured board, cut into shapes, and bake in quick oven. “UP-TO-DATE” BROWN SCONES. 2 breakfastcups of wheatmeal 1 breakfastcup plain flour 3 teaspoonfuls Edmonds’ Baking Powder 3 ozs. butter (or lard) 2 heaped dessertspoonfuls sugar 1 egg Large cup milk. Salt to taste Mix the wheatmeal, flour, sugar and Edmonds’ Baking Powder, then rub in butter (or lard), beat the egg and milk together, and make into stiff dough. Roll and cut into shapes, place on hot floured oven shelf, and bake in quick oven. SULTANA SCONES. 2 breakfastcups flour 3 moderate teaspoonfuls Edmonds’ Baking Powder 2 tablespoonfuls butter 2 dessertspoonfuls sugar 1 egg, half pint milk, salt to taste 1 oz. sultanas or currants Rub the butter (or lard) into the flour, and add the sugar, sultanas, and baking powder. Beat the egg, and add the milk to it, then mix all together to a wet dough. Roll out on floured board; cut into shapes, and bake in moderate oven 20 minutes. PLAIN SCONES. 1 breakfastcup flour (piled up) 1½ teaspoons Edmonds’ Baking Powder 1 oz. butter (or lard) 1 teaspoon sugar 1 egg Rub butter (or lard) into flour, then add other dry ingredients, beat egg with little water, mix all into dough. Bake as usual, quick oven. If made without the egg, use milk in place of water. COFFEE ROLLS. 3 breakfastcups flour 2 tablespoonfuls butter 3 teaspoonfuls Edmonds’ Baking Powder 1 egg ½ pint milk, or more if needed. 1 tablespoonful sugar Mix baking powder and flour together. Beat butter and sugar to a cream; add egg (beaten), then milk, shape dough oblong, and cut. Make dough same consistency as for scones. MILK ROLLS. 2 breakfastcups flour 2 tablespoonfuls butter 1 breakfastcup milk 2 heaped teaspoons Edmonds’ Baking Powder Mix into a stiff dough, roll into oblong shape, cut into pieces, brush over with milk, and bake about 20 minutes. DATE ROLLS. 1 lb. flour (or 2 breakfastcups) 4 ozs. sugar 2 eggs 4 ozs. butter 2 teaspoonfuls Edmonds’ Baking Powder ½ lb. dates or sultanas chopped Milk to mix, salt a pinch, cinnamon Rub butter into flour, add all dry ingredients, beat egg till frothy, mix all together to a stiff paste, turn out on a board, form into a roll, and cut in equal parts, put on cold, greased, and floured oven tray, and put in quick oven; when nearly done brush over with hot water, and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon and sugar; return to oven to dry. COTTAGE LOAF. 2 lbs. flour 2 moderate dessertspoonfuls of Edmonds’ Prize Baking Powder ½ teaspoonful salt 1 pint milk Mix the baking powder and salt thoroughly with the flour, and work into light dough with milk. Bake in quick oven. AERATED BREAD. To every cup of flour add a heaped teaspoonful of Edmonds’ Prize Baking Powder, with a pinch of salt, thoroughly mix while in a dry state, then pour on gradually about half pint of cold water or milk; mix quickly but thoroughly into dough of the usual consistence. Do not knead it more than necessary to mix it perfectly. Make into small loaves, and...

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Published in 1914 by the T.J. Edmonds company to promote their 'Sure to Rise' baking powder, this book is a straightforward collection of recipes. It’s organized by meal type, with sections on scones, cakes, puddings, and savories. The instructions are brief, often just a list of ingredients and a single line of direction, trusting the cook to know the basics. There are no glossy photos or life stories—just the food. But within that simplicity lies its charm. It captures the essence of early 20th-century home cooking in New Zealand: resourceful, no-nonsense, and centered on making the most of what you had.

Why You Should Read It

Reading this cookbook is a different experience. You won't find wild culinary adventures. Instead, you get a profound connection to everyday history. Trying a recipe like 'Edmonds Sure to Rise Scones' links you directly to countless New Zealanders who did the same for over a hundred years. The book’s enduring popularity—it’s never been out of print—speaks to its reliability. It’s a reminder that good food doesn't need to be complicated. The book itself became a character in the nation's story, a trusted friend in the kitchen that taught people they could create something wonderful from simple ingredients.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for anyone curious about social history, food culture, or the simple roots of home baking. It’s perfect for history buffs who want a tangible link to the past, for bakers interested in classic, foolproof recipes, and for anyone who finds comfort in the rhythm of a well-used kitchen. Don't expect a narrative; expect an invitation. This little blue book asks you to roll up your sleeves, dust some flour on the counter, and become part of its long, delicious story.



🏛️ Community Domain

This work has been identified as being free of known copyright restrictions. It is available for public use and education.

Mary Robinson
1 year ago

Not bad at all.

George Thompson
1 year ago

If you enjoy this genre, the flow of the text seems very fluid. Exceeded all my expectations.

Richard Johnson
2 years ago

Perfect.

Dorothy Anderson
1 year ago

Used this for my thesis, incredibly useful.

Linda Walker
1 year ago

I started reading out of curiosity and the atmosphere created is totally immersive. One of the best books I've read this year.

5
5 out of 5 (16 User reviews )

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