Grandma Shared These 28 Dessert Recipes—And Thank Goodness She Did

Grandma's dessert recipes are the kind you hang on to—because they just flat-out work. They're the ones that never let you down, the ones you remember from birthdays, Sunday dinners, and anytime she felt like spoiling everyone a little. There's nothing fancy going on here, just great recipes that taste amazing every single time. If you're after something sweet that hits the mark without trying too hard, these are perfect.

An image of a slice of pie on a plate. — Double Crusted Sweet Potato Pie. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Blackberry Cobbler with Pie Crust

With juicy blackberries and a store-bought crust, this cobbler is easy to pull together fast. It fits right in with grandma’s desserts that rely on simple ingredients and less prep.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Cobbler with Pie Crust

Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust

An image of peach cobbler in a baking dish with a portion of it missing. — Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Fresh peaches paired with a basic crust make this cobbler easy to get into the oven. It’s a long-standing choice for grandma’s desserts during peach season.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust

Upside-Down Mandarin Cake (with Caramel)

Close up of Mandarin Cake showing the perfect caramelization. — Upside-Down Mandarin Cake (with Caramel). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A caramel layer over a soft cocoa base gives this mandarin cake its character. It’s a seasonal addition to grandma’s desserts that people keep coming back to each year.
Get the Recipe: Upside-Down Mandarin Cake (with Caramel)

Lemon Icebox Pie

An mage of a slice of pie on a plate. — Lemon Icebox Pie. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This lemon icebox pie sets in the fridge and skips the oven completely. It’s a strong choice for grandma’s desserts when the weather is hot and baking isn't on the table.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Icebox Pie

Bisquick Apple Cobbler

This Bisquick apple cobbler bakes in under an hour with tart apples and cinnamon. It’s a quick pick for grandma’s desserts when something familiar and simple is needed.
Get the Recipe: Bisquick Apple Cobbler

Carrot Cake Loaf

This carrot cake loaf features a soft spiced interior with tangy frosting. It’s a reliable pick from grandma’s desserts when something sliceable is needed with coffee or tea.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Loaf

Double Crusted Sweet Potato Pie

This double-crusted sweet potato pie has a creamy buttermilk layer and warm spices. It fits into grandma’s desserts when something baked from scratch is wanted at the table.
Get the Recipe: Double Crusted Sweet Potato Pie

Lemon Chiffon Cake

Lemon chiffon cake bakes light and is topped with a simple citrus glaze. It’s a common pick in grandma’s desserts when a soft, airy finish is what you’re after.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chiffon Cake

Coconut Creamy Pie with Meringue

An image of a slice of coconut creamy pie on a plate. — Coconut Creamy Pie with Meringue. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Coconut cream pie topped with meringue is simple to make and has a light texture. It regularly finds a place in grandma’s desserts for its ease and soft finish.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Creamy Pie with Meringue

Strawberry Jello Pie

This strawberry jello pie needs just a few ingredients and sets in the fridge. It’s a quick go-to among grandma’s desserts that’s kept its spot for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Jello Pie

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Overhead view of apple pie with apples. — Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This lattice-topped apple pie features spiced filling and a crisp crust. It’s a solid part of grandma’s desserts that’s stood the test of time.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

No Bake Icebox Cake

This no-bake icebox cake uses crackers, cream, and berries, and chills quickly. It’s a familiar pick from grandma’s desserts that suits warmer months and quick setups.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Icebox Cake

Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding

Jamaican sweet potato pudding is made with sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and familiar spices. It’s often picked for grandma’s desserts when something rooted in tradition is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding

Mississippi Mud Pie

With layers of cookie crust, brownie, pudding, and whipped cream, this Mississippi Mud Pie is built for something a bit richer. It often shows up in grandma’s desserts when you want something layered and bold.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Pie

Homemade Cinnamon Roll

A stack of two cinnamon roll pieces on a plate, with the square pan of remaining rolls in the background. — Homemade Cinnamon Roll. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Homemade cinnamon rolls bake up soft and gooey in just 20 minutes. They’re part of grandma’s desserts that work just as well for breakfast or afternoon snacks.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Roll

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

Made with canned pineapple and baked in a bundt pan, this cake ends with a glossy top. It’s a go-to in grandma’s desserts when presentation matters but time is short.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

Mini Apple Pies

Mini apple pies are filled with cinnamon-spiced fruit and baked in a buttery crust. They’re easy additions to grandma’s desserts when you need something shareable.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

With layers of jello, fruit, and creamy filling on a pretzel crust, this dish stands out at gatherings. It’s the kind of thing that keeps its spot among grandma’s desserts year after year.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake

Lemon drizzle loaf cake uses a few ingredients and comes together smoothly. It fits right in with grandma’s desserts that are quick to make and easy to share.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake

Homemade Angel Food Cake

Close-up of an overhead image of angel food cake with all purpose flour. — Homemade Angel Food Cake. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Using only six ingredients, angel food cake bakes up spongy and light. It’s a frequent feature in grandma’s desserts for summer tables and fruit pairings.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Angel Food Cake

Mixed Berry Jello Dessert

Stack of mixed berry jello on a wooden board. — Mixed Berry Jello Dessert. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

With a crumb crust and a fruity jello center, this berry dessert needs no baking. It’s long been part of grandma’s desserts that work for relaxed get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Jello Dessert

Old Fashioned Peach Crumble

Fresh or canned peaches work in this crumble, which finishes with a crisp topping. It’s often part of grandma’s desserts for backyard meals and casual nights.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Peach Crumble

Baked Alaska

Top view of Banoffee Pie. — Baked Alaska. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cake, ice cream, and meringue come together in this Baked Alaska. It’s a classic from grandma’s desserts that still draws attention at the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Alaska

Mixed Berry Galette

This summer berry galette needs just 15 minutes of prep and bakes quickly. It’s part of grandma’s desserts that fit well with outdoor meals and casual servings.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Galette

Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake comes out moist with a smooth frosting that finishes it off. It’s one of those grandma’s desserts that has stuck around for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cake

Cherry Turnovers

Cherry turnovers use puff pastry and are ready in about 30 minutes. They’re one of those grab-and-go options in grandma’s desserts that keep things moving.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Turnovers

Chocolate Roll Cake

This chocolate roll cake is baked in a jelly roll pan, filled with cream, and finished with ganache. It’s a practical entry in grandma’s desserts when something rolled and neat is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Roll Cake

Banoffee Pie

Banoffee pie comes together with banana, caramel, and cream over graham crust. It’s one of those grandma’s desserts that people ask about long after it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Banoffee Pie