Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook Review + Caroline’s Foolproof Jam Bars Recipe
Made for tight camper kitchens and outdoor cooking, the Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook by Paul and Caroline Lacitinola offers just-right recipes for RVers, camper enthusiasts, and the rest of us.
This cookbook would make a wonderful gift — and I have a few ideas if you need help knowing what to write in a cookbook gift.
Learn how to make Caroline’s Jam Bar recipe, see my review of the Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook, and why this might be a great addition to your cookbook collection (and a superb cookbook gift). Find the recipe shortly after the Table of Contents, so don’t skip down too far if that’s what you’re looking for.
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Books by Paul Lacitinola and Caroline Lacitinola
If you love vintage cookbooks, then you’ll love this vintage-inspired cookbook with an RV theme. The Lacitinolas have a few more RV books with vintage flair behind them.
“We always say it’s the trailers that brought us together, and it’s the people that keep us coming back,” Lacitinola told Brevo. These mid-century modern trailer books could be the start of your new hobby and a whole lot of adventure.
Caroline’s Jam Bars Recipe from Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook
This recipe for jam bars reminds me of the raspberry-filled jam dandy muffin recipe I shared with you years ago. These bars are buttery, crumbly, fruity, and wonderful. Use whatever fruit preserves you wish. The original recipe used apricot preserves, but suggested strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry when you want to mix it up a little.
I used strawberry preserves this time. I’d suggest using preserves without a lot of extra sugar, as the bars are plenty sweet enough. You won’t miss it.
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Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook Review + Caroline’s Foolproof Jam Bars Recipe
Description
This homemade jam bar recipe is from the “Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook” by Paul Lacitinola and Caroline Lacitinola. Enjoy the assortment of vintage camper images and adverts, and camper-kitchen friendly recipes that are perfectly at home wherever you roam.
Note: These aren’t a delicate bar. Although you could use a separate bowl to combine the flour, baking powder, and the salt and gradually add it to the creamed mixture, I stop the mixer, add in the dry ingredients, and give them a little swirl with a spoon to briefly combine them. Don’t dig too deep; it’s a quick mixing of the dry ingredients. Then you’re switching the mixer back on to combine the wet ingredients and the dry ingredients. It’s a convenient way to go from messing up two bowls to one.
Ingredients
- Jam Bar Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Butter, Softened
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg, Room Temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 1/3 cups Sweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1/2 cup Walnuts, Chopped (Optional)
- 1 (10-12 ounce) Jar Strawberry Preserves
Instructions
- 350* oven.
- Spray a 13 x 9 baking pan with Pam for Baking with Flour or Baker’s Joy and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and white sugar for 5 minutes or until light, fluffy, and combined.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a small separate mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Give them a stir, using a whisk if the flour is a little lumpy.
- Add the dry ingredients to the creamed ingredients and mix, but not all the way. Stop the mixer when a few streaks of flour remain, then add the coconut and walnuts, if using. Do not overmix.
- Press 2/3 of the crumbly mixture into the bottom of the prepared 13 x 9 pan. This is the base of your bars.
- Using a spoon, gently spread the preserves in the fruit flavor of your choice over the top.
- With your hands, kind of flatten out portions of the remaining 1/3 of the dough, and lay it gently over the top of the fruit preserves.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack away from the heat source.
- Note: They suggest topping with a little powdered sugar before serving (after it is completely cooled, or the confectioner’s sugar will melt), but I didn’t find the need for extra sweetness.
Inside the Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook
Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook Fast Facts
- 192 pages
- 5.5″ x 0.3″ x 8.5″ cookbook
- Published: March 10, 2026
- Publisher: Gibbs Smith
- Over 140 recipes
- Index organized by course
- Many color and black-and-white images of vintage campers, not the recipes
The “Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook” includes a short paragraph above each recipe that describes the finished product or offers a handy, helpful tip to ensure a successful outcome. Recipe titles and ingredient lists are written in a dark red, easy-to-read font, with the baking instructions and overview in black.
The “Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook” Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Breakfast
- Main Dishes
- Family Favorites
- On the Side
- Dips and Sauces
- What’s for Dessert?
- Recipe Index
- About the Authors
The recipes lean simple. Some recipes are familiar from my childhood, such as Seven-Layer Bean Dip, Three-Bean Salad, and Campfire Chili Cheese Dip, which is similar to the dip my oldest son makes every time he comes home and has a board game night (though we spread the cream cheese in a pie plate, top with chili, and then sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake it before topping with chopped chives).
Some recipes use boxed ingredients, such as Bisquick or a brownie mix (though I’d highly recommend my fudgy or cakey brownie recipes), but I understand that not everyone who reaches for Lacitinola’s cookbook may prefer scratch-made goods as I do or have the room for all the things necessary to make them. This cookbook is geared towards good food on the go.
However, I’d advise against selling this cookbook short. It might have an outdoor cooking and a food on the road and for the road bent, but there is enough recipe variety here to satisfy everyone, no matter if you’re in a vintage camper kitchen, hunched over a campfire, or are in an adorable Pennsylvania kitchen like I am.
Recipes on my list to try include:
- Angelo’s Traditional Carbonara
- Nutritious Fig Granola Bars
- Greek Chicken Skewers
- Spicy Italian Chopped Sandwich (this is the perfect summer lunch solution)
- Korean Rice Bowl
- Café Paulo Carrot Cake (from Lacitinola’s days as a bakery owner)
- Black Bottom Cupcakes
- Garlic Aioli (why have I not made this yet?)
- Bacon Jam
Many pages include an image of a vintage camper interior, a jaunty RV exterior, or an advertisement. It’s a fun way to break up the recipes and tie in the theme. The cookbook maintains a mid-century modern theme throughout with patterned chapter pages and fun retro colors.
Living the Vintage Camper Life
Paul Lacitinola and his wife, Caroline, aren’t new to the RV lifestyle. He began Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine in 2011.
The Lacitinolas story began out in California where they met and married. Caroline stayed at home with their children, Angelo and Grace. Paul worked in law enforcement and then marketing, but always had a passion for vehicles.
RACHEL SCHMELTZER, More than a camper, Kanabec COunty Times, July 11, 2019, Accessed February 22, 2026.
In his spare time he wrote a monthly article for a hot rod magazine, and thought it would be nice to have something similar for people with vintage trailers. What started as the one page flyer Paul created has now evolved into a magazine titled “Vintage Camper Trailers” that he and Caroline manage.
The couple travels the country, putting on Vintage trailer rallies, or a themed party with vintage wheels, at various campgrounds. Paul and Caroline are still cookin’ today. I had a chance to interview Paul Lacitinola.
Here’s what Lacitinola had to say about RV camping, cooking, and what you should know to keep your camper kitchen a lean, mean cookin’ machine.
Everyone has those tried-and-true campground classic recipes they associate with the first morning in camp or that thing they always make on their last night before heading home. Which of the recipes in your book do you tend to make on repeat (and could probably make with your eyes closed and half asleep)?
“Whether we make them ahead or on the campstove, breakfast burritos always sound good,” Paul Lacitinola said. “Our recipe is an inspiration, but we mix it up with whatever potatoes or meat we have on hand. It’s easy to wrap some goodies up in a tortilla and have a hearty breakfast that you can hold in your hand.”
What are the camper kitchen must-haves for efficient, organized, and delicious camping on the road?
“Good planning. What can be prepped before you leave? What can be frozen to help keep the cooler cool until you need it? It will be defrosted and ready to prepare in a day or two,” Lacitinola shared.
“Another trick is cracking eggs into ziplock bags. No broken shells, and you can use them to make breakfast burritos or omelets in a bag.”
Paul Lacitinola Talks Vintage Campers
I saw you have a collection of vintage campers. It sounds like quite the collection. Which RVs are your favorites?
“We do have several trailers. We recently narrowed our collection to focus on travel,” Lacitinola shared. “We keep the sentimental trailers and only the unique, rare, and interesting ones. Our first trailer, a 1962 Deville. A 1959 Shasta we got from the original owners, and our kids grew up in.”
“Our 1955 Spartan Manor, we rebuilt from the ground up. We recently finished a 1960 Streamline for long-haul traveling, and we are picking up a 1961 Airstream this week. I also have a 1954 Ranger and a very rare 1948 Ratzlaff, both of which I love.”
“Favorite? Hard to say — each one has a story and affords us to camp in different styles,” Lacitinola finished.
I get it. People always ask about my favorite cookbook (and I do the same to them, too). But there’s no such thing. There are cookbooks for different purposes, reasons, and seasons. To pick a favorite out of my cookbook collection? Impossible.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to kick their camping up a notch with their own vintage RV? What should they know before taking the leap? I have a feeling it’s about more than finding something “cute.”
If they are looking to buy one, we always encourage people to come to an open house at a rally and walk in a bunch of them to get a feel for size. Determine if a bathroom is a non-negotiable for you. Many vintage trailers, especially the small ones, don’t have toilets.”
“Another big consideration is bed layouts,” Lacitinola continued. “Twins, full, fixed, or fold up. Visit our nationwide classified ads to find a vintage trailer that is perfect for you.”
The “Vintage Camper Kitchen Cookbook” FAQ
Get your questions about this sweet cookbook answered (and answered fast). If you still need some help, leave a comment below or send me an email. I know you’ll enjoy this book — or the recipient of this fun camper-themed cookbook certainly will.
Is This a Good Cookbook to Gift Someone?
Yes, the “Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook” would make a great gift for several reasons:
- It’s visually appealing
- It uses high-quality paper
- Recipes are relatively simple
- Perfect for at-home use
- Fun theme and images for camper enthusiasts
Are There Images in This Cookbook?
Yes, there are images in this mid-century mod-styled cookbook. The images feature vintage campers, advertisements, and interior shots of old campers. The completed recipes do not have pictures, but you shouldn’t need them. They are easy-to-prepare recipes made for easy cooking and snacking while on the road or in the campground.
Who Is the Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook For?
This is a cookbook for more than just someone cooking outdoors in the cramped space of an old RV kitchen. Uncomplicated recipes, from appetizers to dessert, written in a tidy format and a legible font, make this RV-themed cookbook a handy kitchen helper.
Gift this cookbook to people:
- Interested in camping or RV travel
- Who don’t have space for extra gadgets and gizmos
- Want clear, accessible recipes using common ingredients
- Don’t need images to accompany the recipes
Lacitinola’s cookbook would be fun to give to someone retiring, someone purchasing a camper, or someone about to hit the road on their first RV trip. Just don’t forget to write a thoughtful note in your cookbook gift.
Related Resources
Ah, what could be better than adding Lacitinola’s cookbook to your shelf? Adding a few new, wonderful cookbooks to your collection. Learning how to deal with your collection of cookbooks. Turn to the following resources for help getting your books and recipe clippings into shape below.
