Malinda Russell, First African American Cookbook Author, Rediscovered

I cooked from her 1866 book 'A Domestic Cookbook' and gained a new appreciation for her resilience and culinary legacy.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Malinda Russell published 'A Domestic Cookbook: Containing a Careful Selection of Useful Receipts for the Kitchen' in 1866, making her the first known African American to publish a cookbook. Her book was rediscovered in the early 2000s and recently reprinted, allowing people like the author to bake up some of her history. The author cooked several of Russell's recipes, including Allspice Cake, Ginger Cake, Stewed Currants, Mush Cake, and Sweet Potato Baked Pudding, gaining a new appreciation for Russell's strength and culinary legacy.

Why it matters

Malinda Russell's cookbook is a significant historical find, as it represents the first known cookbook published by an African American author. Her story and recipes provide a rare glimpse into the culinary traditions and entrepreneurial spirit of a Black woman in the post-Civil War era, a time when opportunities for people of color were severely limited.

The details

Russell's cookbook was discovered at the bottom of a box of books in the early 2000s by culinary historian Janice Bluestein Longone, who donated an extensive archive of cookbooks to the University of Michigan. The book provides insight into Russell's life, including how she was robbed of her savings and threatened for her 'Union' ideals, forcing her to flee to Michigan, where she published her book in the hopes of earning enough to return home. Russell's recipes reflect the flavors and cooking methods of the Reconstruction era, with a focus on spices like allspice, ginger, and rose water.

  • In 1866, Malinda Russell published 'A Domestic Cookbook: Containing a Careful Selection of Useful Receipts for the Kitchen'.
  • In the early 2000s, a copy of Russell's cookbook was discovered at the University of Michigan.
  • In the 2020s, the University of Michigan Regional Imprint reprinted Russell's cookbook, allowing people to cook from it for the first time in over a century.

The players

Malinda Russell

The first known African American to publish a cookbook, in 1866. She was a cook and baker who owned a successful bakery for six years before being run out of town by a group that stole her earnings and threatened her for her 'Union' ideals.

Janice Bluestein Longone

A culinary historian who discovered a copy of Malinda Russell's cookbook at the bottom of a box of books in the early 2000s and donated it to the University of Michigan.

University of Michigan Regional Imprint

The publisher that reprinted Malinda Russell's 'A Domestic Cookbook' in the 2020s, making it available to the public for the first time in over a century.

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What they’re saying

“This is one reason why I publish my Cook Book, hoping to receive enough from the sale of it to enable me to return home. I know my book will sell well where I have cooked, and am sure those using my receipts will be well satisfied.”

— Malinda Russell, Author (A Domestic Cookbook)

“One thing that's interesting to me, in general, about the introduction to her cookbook is how much credit she gives to other people, because that was not really the norm for the time. I don't think it was even necessarily a matter of ethics that people were thinking about it, but people would just copy entire recipes from other books.”

— Kara Mae Harris, Culinary Historian and Creator of foodways blog Old Line Plate (today.com)

“Everything we have when we go to the grocery store is a lot more standardized. When you buy white vinegar, it's like 10% acidity, but back then, you would just get what you get, so you have to have a lot more understanding of what you're working with so you can adjust the fruit and the sugar and everything accordingly.”

— Kara Mae Harris, Culinary Historian and Creator of foodways blog Old Line Plate (today.com)

What’s next

The University of Michigan Regional Imprint plans to continue promoting Malinda Russell's cookbook and her legacy as the first known African American cookbook author.

The takeaway

Malinda Russell's story and recipes provide a rare and valuable window into the culinary traditions and entrepreneurial spirit of a Black woman in the post-Civil War era. Her resilience in the face of adversity and her commitment to sharing her culinary expertise are an inspiration, and her rediscovered cookbook offers a chance to honor her important place in history.