Old Time Refrigerator Pudding

Are you a war-time homemaker in 1943 looking for a quick and frugal way to serve your family fruit during a time of rationing? Fear not! Better Crocker is here to help with her "Old-Time Refrigerator Pudding" published in her 1943 booklet "Your Share: How to Prepare Appetizing, Healthful Meals with Foods Available Today:"

Line greased casserole with slices of buttered bread. Pour in layer of slightly thickened, hot berry sauce, then a layer of buttered bread, etc., having bread on top. Set heavy object on top to weight down. Let stand overnight in refrigerator. Unmold and serve with whipped cream. (10 slices of bread, 2 cups fruit sauce are enough for 8 servings).

My reaction to this was a more fervent anti-war statement has never been made. And then my weirdly selective memory kicked in and I was brought back to an episode of "Good Eats" on Food Network where Alton Brown basically prepares this exact dish! Check out his recipe for Strawberry Pudding. It's the same thing! Who knew he was reinventing a World War II-era desert based on rationing principles for the "Food Network" crowd?! Betty's casserole dish approach wouldn't have worked for Alton's audience- he had to fancy it up with his individual soup can-sized servings. I think I'm going to have to make this for Fourth of July - Betty style!