Four years ago, u/ChiTownDerp shared this recipe for Woolworth’s Cheesecake. The Woolworths Bakersfield Luncheonette mentioned in the discussions reopened in October 2025.

by Lawksie

9 Comments

  1. [Article about Bakersfield lunch counter reopening](https://www.sfgate.com/centralcalifornia/article/woolworths-bakersfield-restored-21114135.php)

    [Original post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Old_Recipes/comments/vm1a39/woolworth_cheesecake/)

    [Update post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Old_Recipes/comments/14lbhin/woolworths_lunch_counter_cheesecake/)

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    F.W.WOOLWORTH CO.

    HARVEST HOUSE

    CAFETERIA ICE BOX CHEESECAKE

    Crust:

    1 pound graham cracker crumbs

    8oz margarine

    1 ounce superfile sugar

    Filling:

    1 pound cream cheese

    1 pound sugar

    3/4 ounce vanilla

    8 ounces royal lemon gellatin

    10 ounces boiling water

    1 pound 10 ounces chilled evaporated milk (chilled at least 24 hours)

    To make the crust, blend graham cracker crumbs with melted margarine and sugar. Press all but eight ounces around the sides and bottom of a full size steam table pan, saving remainder for top of cake.

    Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add cold water. Cool to 75 degrees. Do not allow to congeal.

    Chill mixing bowl and wire whip. Whip milk, about 3 miniutes, until it peaks. Add gelatin mixture and mix 30 seconds. Add cream cheese mixture and mix 30 seconds. Pour into crumb-lined pan. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over top of cheese mix. Mixture should be about 1/4 inch from top of pan. Refrigerate overnight.

  2. studyhall109

    I will definitely try this! I love the Woolworth’s recipes. I made the Woolworth’s macaroni and cheese recipe a few months ago.

    I appreciate you for posting this, I will reply with the results after I make it.

  3. Fuzzy_Welcome8348

    Ooo that sounds amazing! Thx for sharing this

  4. Jscrappyfit

    This was a staple at church potluck meals when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s in the U.S. I made it for an Easter dinner a few years ago and it was just as delicious as I remembered. A great spring dessert.

  5. pastryfiend

    I used to ask for this as a birthday cake a lot as a kid in the 80’s. It’s delicious!

  6. Gotta love the Imperial measuring system- not.

    I was doing okay until I hit 1 pound 10ounces evaporated milk

  7. Remote-Possible5666

    I want to try this…what kind of pan is it? How big?

  8. Jimbo-Shrimp

    What can I use as a replacement for the gelatin?

  9. Consistent_Sector_19

    That’s going to produce a huge amount of cheesecake. This is a great recipe for 20+ people, but the size of it will shock anyone not paying attention to the numbers.